San Francisco 49ers principal owner and CEO Jed York was arrested Sunday morning, August 23, 2026, in East Palestine, Ohio, after authorities said he responded to an undercover online advertisement for paid sexual activity. The case involving one of the NFL’s most prominent owners quickly moved from a local mobile-home park to national attention and a league review.
According to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force incident report obtained by multiple outlets, York used the alias “Joe” and contacted the undercover officer three times over two days. On Sunday he asked the price for one hour. The officer quoted $160 for “full service sexual activity.” York agreed, was given a fictitious lot number at the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community, and drove a rental vehicle to the location. An earlier affidavit cited by some reports listed the agreed amount as $140; later incident-report and court records consistently note the $160 figure and the cash seized.
Around 9:35 AM, York was pulled over near the park entrance. Bodycam video released by the East Palestine Police Department reveals an officer walking up to the rental SUV. York, dressed in a gray New York Yankees shirt, shorts, sneakers and wearing his wedding ring, came out with his wallet. He was then told to get out of the car, handcuffed and put into a cruiser. Upon asking if he was going to meet someone, York stated that he was “just driving.” They then conducted a search of the car where they found a stack of $20 bills, totaling $160, as well as two cellphones. Sending a test text message to the fake number caused one of the phones to go off.
York was initially charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools (the phone). Prosecutors amended the prostitution count to disorderly conduct. On August 24 he pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools in Columbiana County Municipal Court. He received concurrent one-day jail sentences, credited as time already served, paid $1,150 in fines, and forfeited the $160 to the task force. His phone was returned. He completed an online course. A request to seal the records was denied.
York, 46, is a Youngstown-area native and third-generation family steward of the 49ers. He became principal owner in 2024. The 49ers issued a brief statement that the legal matter had been resolved and declined further comment. York has not spoken publicly.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed at owners’ meetings that the league is reviewing the matter under its Personal Conduct Policy, which applies to owners. No league punishment has been announced as of August 29, 2026.
The NFL review continues. Any potential discipline under the personal-conduct policy remains pending. The Ohio criminal case is closed.
