The 46-year-old, who is also principal owner and chief executive of the San Francisco 49ers, was convicted of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools after entering the plea to two charges at an arraignment hearing, reports the BBC.
In the Ohio legal system, a no-contest plea means a defendant accepts a conviction without formally admitting guilt.
York was sentenced to one day in jail on each offence, to be served concurrently, and was given credit for time already served. He was fined $150 for disorderly conduct and $1,000 for possessing criminal tools. Court records show the case was brought by East Palestine Police Department and filed at Columbiana County Municipal Court on Monday, with an expungement request — filed to have the records destroyed or sealed from public access — also submitted and denied the same day.
According to reports in the US media, court documents allege York responded to an advertisement on a prostitution website placed by undercover officers from a Human Trafficking Task Force in Ohio, arranging to have sexual activity with a woman in exchange for $140 (£103). Under a plea deal, the original charge was reduced to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, the latter thought to refer to the phone used to reply to the advert.
The 49ers were part of the US consortium that took control of Rangers last year, though York is not involved in the day-to-day running of the club. Both Rangers and Leeds said they would not be commenting on the matter, while the 49ers issued a brief statement: "As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time."
York became a Rangers co-owner 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 after acquiring a controlling 51 per cent stake in the Scottish Premiership club, with Cavenagh becoming chairman and 49ers Enterprises taking a leading role in the ownership structure. The deal followed months of negotiations and brought Rangers under majority American-backed ownership.
49ers Enterprises first invested in Leeds United in 2018, when the club was in the Championship, steadily increasing its stake as the Whites returned to the Premier League following a 16-year absence, before assuming full control in 2023.
As an NFL owner, York remains subject to the league's personal conduct policy. The NFL said in a statement: "We are aware of the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy."