Jed York Jailed After Prostitution Sting in Ohio

Jed York, the co-owner of Leeds United and Rangers and principal owner of the San Francisco 49ers, has been jailed in Ohio after being arrested in a prostitution sting.

The 46-year-old entered a no contest plea to two misdemeanour charges – disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools – and was subsequently convicted. In Ohio, a no contest plea accepts conviction without an admission of guilt, but carries the same legal effect as a guilty plea for sentencing.

York received a one-day jail term for each offence, to be served concurrently, and was credited for time he had already spent in custody.

The case, brought by the East Palestine Police Department, was filed at Columbiana County Municipal Court on Monday. Court records confirm York’s no contest pleas at his arraignment hearing and the guilty findings that followed.

Those same records show an expungement request was lodged and rejected on the same day. Such a request would have sought to have the case records destroyed or sealed from public access.

According to US media reports citing additional court documents, York responded to an advertisement on a prostitution website that had been posted by undercover officers attached to a Human Trafficking Task Force in Ohio. The documents state he arranged to engage in sexual activity with a woman in exchange for $140 (£103).

As part of a plea agreement, the original charge was reduced to the disorderly conduct and criminal tools counts, with the latter understood to refer to the mobile phone used to reply to the advert.

The 49ers are part of the American consortium that completed a takeover of Rangers last year, but York is not involved in the day-to-day running of the Scottish club. He also holds a stake in Leeds United through the same investment structure.

Both Rangers and Leeds have declined to comment on the case.

The 49ers organisation said: “As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.”

York became a co-owner of Rangers through 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm linked to the NFL franchise where he serves as chief executive and principal owner. In May 2025, a consortium led by US businessman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises completed a takeover of Rangers by acquiring a controlling 51% share in the Scottish Premiership club.