Less than one month after the New England Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl in franchise history, longtime owner Robert Kraft has been charged with misdemeanor crimes stemming from his alleged involvement in a human trafficking ring. According to police in Jupiter, Fla., Kraft is one of several people who were charged, and has been charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution.
Kraft, who has a residence about half an hour away in Palm Beach, has reportedly not yet been arrested, although there is a warrant out for his arrest that will go to his home in Massachusetts, per Deadspin.
BREAKING: Jupiter FL police chief says no contact so far with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Says he solicited two times from spa here and actually visited parlor two times during their investigation. @NBC10Boston @NECN pic.twitter.com/ZY3xKSTBHB
— Kathryn Sotnik (@KatSotnik) February 22, 2019
The charges stem from Kraft’s visitation of Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, one of 10 spas in the area that were shut down as part of the operation. According to investigators, Kraft went to the spa twice and is on video inside.
Investigators claim Kraft was a regular visitor to the Orchid Spa and that there is video of Bob Kraft inside the "spa." @CBSMiami
— Jim DeFede (@DeFede) February 22, 2019
Jupiter police chief said he was "stunned" and that an "an active arrest warrant" has been issued for Kraft.
Another detail: Kraft had his chauffeur drive him to the massage parlor. @CBSMiami— Jim DeFede (@DeFede) February 22, 2019
More details: Kraft reportedly visited the Orchard Spa on two occasions. This was part of an eight-month investigation into prostitution and possible sex trafficking involving this spa. Jupiter Police say Kraft is charged with 2 misdemeanors of soliciting a prostitute. @CBSMiami
— Jim DeFede (@DeFede) February 22, 2019
BREAKING: New England Pats owner Robert Kraft charged w/ soliciting a prostitute in Orchids of Asia day spa raid in Jupiter FL. Jupiter PD says they have video. Kraft has a residence in nearby Palm Beach. @NBC10Boston @NECN pic.twitter.com/8y5E3Rw27R
— Kathryn Sotnik (@KatSotnik) February 22, 2019
Local investigators announced the investigation and that they began making arrests on Thursday night, according to Mary Helen Moore of Treasure Coast Newspapers, with Kraft’s involvement in the ring getting announced one day later. In all, 173 arrest warrants were issued, with Martin County Sheriff Will Snyder describing the conditions under which the women were held.
Snyder said Chinese women held in the spas were involved in “graphic sexual activity, very risky behavior.” They had no access to transportation and were moved from location to location.
“It was clear that multiple women were working and living inside the spas. They were cooking on the back steps of the business,” Snyder said. “They were sleeping in the massage parlor on the massage tables.”
Snyder said what has been revealed so far is “the tip of the tip of the iceberg.”
Martin County Sheriff says the women involved in human trafficking ring were given no days off. They averaged about 1,500 men a year. He says their hygiene was “minimal” at best @NBC10Boston
— Perry Russom (@perryrussom) February 22, 2019
In a statement, Kraft’s representatives told TMZ Sports “We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”
