The police officer who caught San Francisco 49ers owner and CEO Jed York in a prostitution sting had previously been recognized for “catching rats and other vermin.”
York was confronted by officers with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force at an Ohio trailer park after he allegedly tried to pay a woman $140 for sex.
The 46-year-old, whose net worth is estimated at $500 million and who also co-owns Premier League club Leeds United and Scottish giants Rangers, was arrested in East Palestine on suspicion of engaging in prostitution at 9:35am on August 23. He was later released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Court records obtained by The Daily Mail state that York “arranged to have sexual activity with the female in exchange for $140.” According to the documents, he responded to an undercover advertisement posted by law enforcement on a website known for prostitution activity.
When York arrived at the agreed meeting place, the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community in East Palestine, he walked into a law enforcement sting operation.
The operation was led by Daniel Haueter, a veteran detective with the East Palestine Police Department who also serves on the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.
Daniel Haueter, an experienced East Palestine Police Department detective, led the sting operation involving 49ers owner and CEO Jed York
York, 46, was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, before being booked into the Columbiana County Jail
A 2023 biography of Haueter by the National Transportation Safety Board reveals his law enforcement career spans three decades and his work on stopping internet sex crimes has led to ‘national’ recognition.
An Ohio Attorney General newsletter from 2024 also hailed Haueter’s ability to capture ‘especially repugnant creatures.’
It continued: ‘Catching rats and other vermin starts with using the right bait and when Detective Dan Haueter sets the trap, they come scurrying out of the shadows.’
The newsletter also revealed the tactics Haueter deployed to arrest York last week have been used, successfully, several times in the past.
It added: ‘The bait they’re most drawn to are ads that Haueter posts on known prostitution websites – specifically, ads that appear to be posted by a mom offering herself and her underage daughter for sex.
‘What usually follows is an exchange of messages with interested men that concludes with a meeting time and place. When the dupe shows up – and it’s always a guy – Haueter or his fellow officers are there to arrest him.’
Speaking of his accomplishments in the newsletter, Haueter wrote: ‘We arrested a guy recently who drove two hours from Erie. And we got a guy from upstate New York who was on his way to Akron for a Porsche festival.
‘He literally made a detour because he said he’d always fantasized about a mom and daughter.’
York was taken into custody when Haueter and his team discovered he had ‘in his possession his cellular device which was used to arrange a criminal act,’ court documents show.
York – above with wife Danielle – allegedly attempted to pay a woman $140 for sex in a trailer park in Ohio
York is believed to have been arrested at Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community in East Palestine
York, who was born 20 miles away from East Palestine in Youngstown, Ohio, was initially charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. He was also charged with possessing criminal tools.
He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest Monday morning. He was also fined $1,150.
Records also show that York had a cellphone returned to him and that $160 that was seized was to be given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement. He also completed an online course.
It comes after York filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle, back in May and cited irreconcilable differences.
The San Francisco Chronicle has reported the couple are still waiting for a court date for their dissolution of marriage case to be heard.
The couple, who got married in 2011, have two sons, Jaxon and Brixton. They have agreed to legal and physical joint custody.
The NFL said in a statement: ‘We are aware of the matter, which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy.’
The 49ers said in a statement: ‘As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to East Palestine Police and the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as York’s attorney for comment.
