49ers owner Jed York arrested in Ohio prostitution crackdown, pleads no contest to misdemeanors

Ethan Varian, Michael Nowels and Cam Inman, The Mercury News on Aug 24, 2026

Published in Football

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San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was arrested in a prostitution bust this weekend by police in East Palestine, Ohio, before pleading no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.

Prosecutors initially charged York with engaging in prostitution, according to court records, but the charge was later amended to disorderly conduct.

York, who maintains a residence in nearby Youngstown, paid fines totaling $1,150 as well as $135 in court fees, according to documents filed Monday in Columbiana County Municipal Court. York also paid $50 to request the misdemeanor charges be expunged.

The records noted that $160 seized from York would be forfeited to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, while his cellphone would be returned to him. York’s arraignment was held at 8:30 a.m. Monday, after which he paid his fees.

The 49ers declined comment, noting the situation was “a legal matter which has been resolved.” An NFL statement simply noted the league was “aware of the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy.”

A message to York seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Steve Irwin, a spokesperson for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, which brought the case along with local prosecutors, said authorities arrested York as part of “routine enforcement activities” by the human trafficking task force, but did not provide additional details.

He directed questions about why the prostitution charge was amended to the Columbiana County Prosecutor’s Office, which did not immediately respond to an interview request. Irwin said the charge of possessing criminal tools could be related to anything used to engage in prostitution, such as money, a cellphone or condoms.

A Columbiana County Sheriff’s spokesperson declined to give further information on the case. The East Palestine Police Department did not immediately respond to questions about the arrest.

York, 46, has been part of the 49ers’ hierarchy for over 20 years and assumed the title of “principal owner” two years ago to assure his family’s continued control.

His parents, Denise DeBartolo York and Dr. John York, became the 49ers’ primary owners in 2000 as Denise's brother, Eddie DeBartolo, ceded his controlling shares in the wake of a Louisiana gambling scandal, pleading guilty to a felony. Their father, Edward J. DeBartolo, bought the 49ers in 1977 from the Morabito family, which founded the franchise in 1946.

Eddie’s ownership reign coincided with the 49ers’ rise to prominence and their five Super Bowl wins between the 1981 and 1994 seasons, earning him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame a decade ago. However, the gambling scandal led to his ouster from the 49ers and the NFL, and although he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of failing to report an extortion attempt, he was pardoned in 2020 by President Donald Trump.

The DeBartolo and York family ownership has maintained ties to southeast Ohio, where the DeBartolo Corporation headquarters remain in Boardman about five miles south of Youngstown and 15 miles north of East Palestine.

Prostitution scandals are not new to the NFL ownership world: In 2019, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was charged in 2019 after visiting a Florida massage parlor for sex acts on the morning before his team played in the AFC Championship Game. Those charges were later dropped.

Jed is the oldest of four siblings. Twin sisters Jenna and Mara lead the 49ers Foundation charity wing. Younger brother Tony passed away in 2018 at age 35. Jed and his wife, Danielle, have two sons, Jaxon and Brixton.

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