San Francisco 49ers principal owner Jed York’s arrest in Ohio came during an already turbulent stretch in his personal life.
York filed for divorce from his wife of more than 15 years, Danielle York, in May 2026, roughly three months before his arrest on suspicion of engaging in prostitution, according to Santa Clara County Superior Court records obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The divorce case was still pending at the time of York’s arrest, according to the Chronicle.
That detail adds some context around one of the immediate questions that surfaced after news of the arrest broke Monday: York’s marital status.
It does not establish any connection between the divorce and the criminal case. But the timing puts the two developments unusually close together for the 49ers’ principal owner.
Jed York, Danielle York Had Already Agreed on Custody
York and Danielle York had been married for more than 15 years when he filed for divorce in May, according to the Chronicle.
The filing cited irreconcilable differences.
Court records obtained by the Chronicle showed that the couple had agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their two children, ages 13 and 10.
The division of property and other assets had not yet been determined, and the dissolution case remained pending while the couple awaited a court date.
York has generally kept his family life out of the spotlight while becoming one of the more recognizable owners in the NFL.
That changed quickly this week.
York, 46, was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio. Heavy independently reviewed Columbiana County Municipal Court records showing he was initially charged with engaging in prostitution under Ohio law.
Prosecutors moved Monday to amend that charge to disorderly conduct.
The court granted the change.
York then pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools and was found guilty on both misdemeanor counts.
York Arrested at Ohio Mobile Home Community
More details about the arrest have also begun to emerge.
ABC 6 reported that an East Palestine Police report said York was arrested at the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community with assistance from the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that York allegedly responded to an online advertisement offering a paid sexual encounter.
Court records reviewed by Heavy show York posted $5,000 bond following his arrest.
At his Monday arraignment, he received concurrent one-day jail sentences and credit for one day already served.
He was fined $150 on the disorderly-conduct charge and $1,000 for possessing criminal tools.
A court receipt reviewed by Heavy shows he paid $1,285 total after court costs and other fees.
The judgment entry also ordered York’s cell phone returned to him and $160 seized in the case forfeited to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force by agreement of the parties.
NFL Is Now Reviewing Jed York’s Arrest
The Ohio case may be resolved, but York still has another issue hanging over him.
The NFL released a statement on Monday that it is reviewing the matter under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.
“We are aware of the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy,” an NFL spokesperson said.
That policy applies to owners as well as players and other league personnel.
There is precedent for significant punishment. The NFL suspended Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay for six games and fined him $500,000 in 2014 after his misdemeanor impaired-driving case.
No discipline against York has been announced.
For now, there are two separate matters playing out around the 49ers owner.
His Ohio criminal case was closed Monday.
His divorce case, according to the Chronicle, was not.
New Detail About Jed York’s Wife Emerges After 49ers Owner’s Prostitution Arrest