San Francisco 49ers owner and CEO John “Jed” York was taken into custody Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, facing misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing what the law refers to as “criminal tools.” According to court documents reviewed by The Athletic, York was booked and released the same day on his own recognizance. The following Monday, he entered no-contest pleas to both charges in Columbiana County Municipal Court.
From the Courtroom: Fine and Jail Time
As part of the resolution, York was ordered to pay a $150 fine and received a two-day jail sentence. Court paperwork indicates the disorderly conduct charge initially stemmed from an engaging-in-prostitution allegation before it was later amended. A Cleveland attorney described the criminal tools statute to The Athletic as a broad law covering possession of items designed for illegal purposes. Officials returned a seized cellphone to York, while $160 that had been confiscated was handed over to a regional human trafficking task force under the terms of the agreement.
Team and League Respond
The 49ers organization confirmed the matter had been legally settled and said it would not comment further, calling it a resolved legal issue. The NFL, meanwhile, indicated the situation would be examined under its personal conduct policy, though no timeline for that review has been announced.
The arrest comes amid other personal changes for York, who filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle Belluomini York, back in May. York took over as the team’s principal owner in 2024 after buying additional shares from his mother.