By early Friday afternoon, the Orchids of Asia day spa had become an impromptu tourist attraction, drawing onlookers who peered into its darkened glass facade and posed for pictures in front of the closed business. An orange sign posted on the door by the town’s building department and dated Tuesday, reading “DANGER,” warned that occupying the unit was prohibited.

Linda Perry of Jupiter Island said she had been driving into the neighborhood for lunch when news of Mr. Kraft’s arrest broke.

“I looked it up and we decided to come here,” she said. “It’s just so mind-boggling.”

An affidavit of probable cause filed by the Jupiter police laid out how the men had come to be charged for what went on inside the spa.

Acting on a tip from law enforcement personnel in nearby Martin County last summer, the police began their investigation by searching online reviews for the business, several of which used a slang term for a sex act that was available to male customers. After conducting 24-hour video surveillance in November, the police noticed that only male clients had entered, despite the spa’s advertising some services primarily used by women.

A Florida Department of Health investigator inspected the business on behalf of the police and noticed several indications that women were living there, including beds, dressers with personal items and a refrigerator containing food and condiments.

One day in January, the police stopped men leaving the spa in their vehicles. At the roadside, the men told police officers that they had taken part in sex acts during their visits. Using that information, the police obtained a search warrant allowing them to monitor and record conduct inside the spa on video. For five days, starting on Jan. 18, the police monitored the video, and they said they had observed more than 20 men receiving manual or oral stimulation during massage sessions. In none of the instances, the police said, did they observe sexual intercourse.

At Goodfella’s Pizza several doors down, the owner, Joseph Bompartito, said he had been working late waiting for a delivery on Jan. 17 when, at about 11:30 p.m., a swarm of police cars pulled up to the mall and evacuated the massage parlor, claiming there was a suspicious package and a possible bomb threat. But officers did not evacuate any other businesses in the strip mall, which made Mr. Bompartito suspect that something unlawful was going on at the massage parlor. Now, he said, he thinks that was when the police might have planted video cameras inside, a conclusion backed up by the police timeline released on Friday.</s>CLOSE What I'm Hearing: TCPalm's Hannah Schwab details the latest in Patriots owner Robert Kraft's alleged solicitation of prostitutes at a day spa in Florida, including new documents showing he visited the spa the same day the Patriots played in the AFC Championship Game. USA TODAY

This story was updated on Monday, Feb. 25 to reflect new developments in the case.

Police announced Friday that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution at a spa in Jupiter, Florida.

Kraft, 77, was one of 25 people charged in Palm Beach County on Friday as part of a wide-ranging investigation into human-trafficking across multiple Florida counties. Jupiter police chief Daniel Kerr said in a news conference Friday that police have video evidence of Kraft engaging in sex acts on two separate visits to the Orchids of Asia Day Spa last month.

Here's a quick rundown of the information that has been released by authorities, the initial reaction and what is expected to happen next with the Patriots owner.

When did Kraft allegedly solicit prostitutes?

According to a probable cause affidavit released by Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg's office on Monday, Kraft visited the Jupiter spa on January 19 and January 20 — which was the day of the AFC championship game — to receive sex acts, which were captured by video inside the building.

He spent roughly 40 minutes at the spa on the evening of Jan. 19, and about 15 minutes there on Jan. 20. The Patriots faced, and defeated, the Kansas City Chiefs later that evening.

What did Kraft do?

According to an arrest warrant obtained by Treasure Coast Newspapers, Kraft paid more than $200 to receive sex acts from two women on Jan. 19. He paid more than $100 in cash for a sex act with one woman the following morning.

When asked if Kraft "was there as a regular" or "seemed familiar with this," Andrew Sharp, the lead detective on the case, answered: "I would say, going through the evidence, yes."

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft stands with his girlfriend Ricki Noel Lander at the 2014 college football national championship. On Friday it was announced Kraft had been charged with soliciting prostitution at a Florida spa. (Photo: Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports)

NFL DISCIPLINE?: Robert Kraft subject to NFL discipline for charges of soliciting prostitution

WHO IS ROBERT KRAFT?: Is Kraft married? Here's a look at the Patriots owner

What potential punishment does Kraft face?

Police have charged Kraft with "two counts of soliciting another to commit prostitution," which Aronberg said in a news conference is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Under Florida statutes, Kraft would also be required to perform 100 hours of community service and "pay for and attend an educational program about the negative effects of prostitution and human trafficking, such as a sexual violence prevention education program, including such programs offered by faith-based providers, if such programs exist in the judicial circuit in which the offender is sentenced."

How big is this investigation?

The human trafficking investigation into Florida spas has been ongoing for at least four months and spans multiple jurisdictions along the Florida coast. The probe has resulted in roughly 300 arrest warrants so far across 10 spas in Florida.

The investigation into the Orchids of Asia Day Spa, which Kraft allegedly attended, began in October. Detectives learned that women, many of whom are from China, lived inside the spa, and investigators found "evidence of bodily fluids on napkins" in trash cans on the premises, according to Treasure Coast Newspapers, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.

How are Kraft, the Patriots and the NFL responding?

Kraft responded to the charges in a brief statement through a spokesperson Friday: "We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further."

The NFL released a one-sentence statement on Friday, then followed up with a longer statement to NFL Network and other media on Monday.

"Our Personal Conduct Policy applies equally to everyone in the NFL," the league said. "We will handle this allegation in the same way we would handle any issue under the Policy. We are seeking a full understanding of the facts, while ensuring that we do not interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation. We will take appropriate action as warranted based on the facts."

What will happen next?

Because Kraft is a Massachusetts resident, the state attorney's office has issued a "capias" — a writ requiring him to answer to the charges. He will either have to surrender to law enforcement or have an attorney contact the state attorney's office on his behalf, Aronberg said.

Aronberg added that "(Kraft) does not have to make a public court appearance" to answer for the charges and can instead rely on counsel. The Patriots owner will likely reach a plea deal with the state and avoid serious jail time.

Contributing: A.J. Perez and Lorenzo Reyes of USA TODAY Sports, Mary Helen Moore of Treasure Coast Newspapers

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.</s>In a headline you probably weren’t expecting to read today, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has a warrant out for his arrest.

Kraft was named in a recent prostitution, human trafficking sting operation in Jupiter, Florida where authorities say the 77-year-old Kraft will be charged with soliciting another to commit prostitution. They also allege he’s solicited a prostitute on at least two separate occasions.

TMZ reports that cops have obtained evidence from a body cam video and surveillance that has been done over the last several months.

“We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity,” a spokesperson for Kraft said. “Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”

According to police, the average cost per visit for services is $59 or $79 per hour. Kraft will be charged with a misdemeanor and will have to appear in court.

Kraft purchased the Patriots back in 1994, and has been at the helm of the NFL’s most successful dynasty of the 21st century as the team has won six Super Bowl titles and made an appearance in 10 Super Bowls since he took over. He was married to Myra Kraft from 1963 until her death in 2011 and is reportedly worth over $6.6 billion.

His spotlight has come up major in the hip-hop world as well as being an advocate of Meek Mill‘s Justice Reform program and proudly rocks a CHAMPIONSHIPS chain as seen pictured.

RELATED: Some New England Patriots Players Are Skipping Traditional White House Visit

New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Wanted In Florida Prostitution Sting was originally published on theboxhouston.com</s>(Reuters) - Robert Kraft, owner of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots, was charged in Florida with soliciting prostitution after he was captured on video engaging in sex acts with a worker at a massage parlour, police said on Friday.

Kraft, 77, a billionaire businessman who built the Patriots into the National Football League’s most dominant franchise, was swept up in a police sting targeting sex-trafficking in day spas and massage parlours in several Florida counties. The operation has led to hundreds being charged.

Kraft, who lives in Massachusetts but owns property in Palm Beach, Florida, is accused of visiting Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, on two separate occasions to solicit sex. The two charges he faces are misdemeanours.

Authorities have video evidence depicting the acts in question after installing hidden cameras inside the spa, police officials said, adding that Kraft had been dropped off by a driver.

A spokesman for Kraft and the Patriots, Aaron Salkin, said in a statement, “We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”

Kraft could face discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy, which applies to team owners and prohibits “conduct detrimental to the integrity” of the NFL. In 2004, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended six games and fined $500,000 after he pleaded guilty to driving while on drugs.

In a statement, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said, “The NFL is aware of the ongoing law enforcement matter and will continue to monitor developments.”

Kraft, who made his fortune buying out and building up his father-in-law’s product-packaging business, is worth $6.6 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

Since Kraft bought the Patriots 25 years ago for $172 million, the team has become the most successful franchise in the NFL, appearing in 10 Super Bowls and winning six titles, including Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3. The franchise is now worth an estimated $3.7 billion, according to Forbes.

Kraft’s wife of many decades, Myra Hiatt Kraft, died in 2011 of ovarian cancer. He has not remarried.

Kraft is a close friend and supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, who said told reporters in the Oval Office that he was “very sad” to hear about the charges.

“I was very surprised to see it,” the president said. “He’s proclaimed his innocence totally. And - but I’m very surprised to see it.”

No one answered the phone at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa on Friday.

The spa’s website advertises body treatments, facials and massages, such as the “Tokyo Ultimate 4 Hand.” Standard services generally cost $59 for a half hour and $79 for an hour, police said.

The owner of Goodfella’s Pizza across the street, Joseph Bompartito, 33, said he frequently saw young women who worked at the spa walking through the shopping plaza where it is located.

“They looked miserable, malnourished, very skinny, very pale with a depressed look on their face,” he said.

He also recalled seeing Kraft getting into a chauffeured car at the plaza about two weeks ago, saying he waved to Kraft and the Patriots owner waved back out of the car window.

Kraft, widely considered one of the NFL’s most powerful and influential owners, has become a hero to may Bostonians. Early this month hundreds of thousands of people lined the city’s streets to see the owner and his team celebrate their sixth Super Bowl win.

Some top Massachusetts officials on Friday voiced deep concern over the charges.

Governor Charles Baker “finds these allegations deeply disturbing and condemns all acts of sexual exploitation,” Anisha Chakrabarti, a spokeswoman for the governor, said in an email.</s>
• Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, was charged Friday with two counts of soliciting prostitution.
• The charges are related to a months-long investigation by the Florida police into massage parlors they said were tied to human trafficking.
• The police said there was video evidence of Kraft in relation to both charges.

Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, was charged Friday with two counts of soliciting prostitution.

Kraft was charged with paying for sexual services at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, according to TCPalm.com. The Jupiter police say there is video evidence linking Kraft to both incidents.

The charges are related to a months-long investigation by the Florida police into massage parlors tied to human trafficking. The investigation led to the shutdown of 10 spas.

Chief Daniel Kerr of the Jupiter Police Department told reporters that dozens of people faced charges, and he confirmed that the Kraft who had been charged was the Patriots owner.

Kerr can be seen confirming the charges against Kraft at about the 2:35 mark in the below video of the press conference.

Kraft released the following statement in response to the news: “We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”</s>In an absolutely staggering announcement, Jupiter Police today announced that billionaire and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is being charged with soliciting prostitution in Palm Beach County. Kraft is one of 25 people who have arrested as part of a huge sex-trafficking sting. The TC Palm yesterday reported that, after a six-month sting, law-enforcement shut down 10 massage parlors from Orlando all the way down into Palm Beach County. Cops claimed that young women were being "lured" into massage parlors and, in some cases, were trapped there.

Jupiter police spokesperson O'Neil Anderson told New Times today that Kraft was arrested at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in the north Palm Beach County town as part of that effort.

BREAKING: Jupiter Police says New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is being charged with soliciting prostitution. — Ali Schmitz (@SchmitzMedia) February 22, 2019 Kraft's arrest came mere hours after Jupiter PD held a very weird press-conference, in which numerous local reporters asked if any "prominent individuals" or “NFL players" were involved in the sting. Deadspin yesterday noted that these were some highly specific questions for reporters to just, you know, randomly ask the cops. Do you know why the NFL and pro sports and owners were coming up at this press conference about a sex trafficking sting in Florida? Let me know! 



DMs are open/email and PGP are in bio/SecureDrop info is the blog below https://t.co/w27gSNeTvV — Diana Moskovitz (@DianaMoskovitz) February 22, 2019 That's because word had apparently leaked out to someone last night that Kraft got caught in the sting. Earlier this week, the TC Palm reported on Orchids of Asia, specifically: A neighbor called the operation " a movie."



The Associated Press reported that spokesperson for Kraft said his people “categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”

 

 This is a breaking story. This post will be updated.</s>JUPITER, Florida (CBS) – Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, will be charged in a prostitution bust in Jupiter, Florida.

The announcement came late Friday morning at a news conference with police in Jupiter, Florida.

Police said there is video evidence of the two alleged incidents involving Kraft. Kraft is one of 25 people who will be charged by Jupiter Police, they said.

According to a local news website, News Chief, Kraft was in Palm Beach for a fundraiser the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Saturday. He then went to Charlotte, North Carolina Sunday to attend the NBA All-Star Game.

Kraft, 77, has owned the Patriots for 25 years. The Patriots have won six Super Bowl during that time, most recently Super Bowl LIII earlier this month in Atlanta.

He has four sons. His wife Myra died in 2011.</s>JUPITER — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution in connection with a Florida spa tied to an international human trafficking ring, police said Friday.

The NFL owner was charged with paying for sexual services at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter.

The spa was among 10 shut down in the Orlando area, Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast after a several-month investigation revealed women there were in "sexual servitude," according to arrest records.

A detective said the acts were captured on surveillance video.

Kraft, 77, has not yet been arrested on the misdemeanor charges, according to the Jupiter Police Department.

Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994 for $172 million. He is the head of the Kraft Group, a holding company with investments in a number of industries, including sports and real estate. He is worth an estimated $6.6 billion, according to Forbes.com.

More: Man dies after being hit by Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim's car

Kraft is a longtime seasonal resident of Palm Beach County, according to the Palm Beach Daily News.

Under Kraft's ownership, the Patriots have played in 10 Super Bowls and have won a record-tying six Super Bowl championships.

Women, many of them from China, lived in the spa and were not permitted to leave, according to Martin County Sheriff Will Snyder.

The owner of that spa, Hua Zhang, 58, of Winter Garden, was arrested and charged with deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, keeping and frequenting a house of prostitution and 26 counts of procuring for prostitution.

More: Human trafficking in Florida massage parlors: What happened in Vero Beach and Sebastian?

Need help? See something?

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is confidential, toll-free and available 24/7 in more than 200 languages.</s>Oh Mr. Patriots owner, did you really think you wouldn’t get caught?

Florida makes national news, again! This time for human trafficking and prostitution… thanks to New England Patriots owner Robert K. Kraft.

Kraft was arrest Friday (Feb 22) on two counts of soliciting sex from a prostitute during a sting in Florida. This according to Jupiter police.</s>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.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is charged in a prostitution sting in the U.S. state of Florida.