Jupiter, Florida Prostitution Sting
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Overview
Jupiter, Florida Prostitution Sting refers to mass charges of human trafficking, prostitution, and soliciting sex from prostitutes at day spas and massage parlors in Jupiter, Florida. The most notable person charged as part of the sting operation is Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots of the National Football League.
Background
On February 22nd, 2019, Jupiter, Florida police chief Daniel Kerr held a press conference announcing that their department had completed a sting of multiple spas and massage parlors in the local area and raided them on suspicion of prostitution.[1] The investigation involved multiple law-enforcement agencies, and was carried out on nearly a dozen establishments in the area.[2] The conference detailed that the highest profile man charged for soliciting prostitutes from the establishments was New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The police stated they had video evidence proving Kraft's involvement. Reporter Ali Schmitz tweeted a list of all those being charged (shown below).
Developments
A spokesman for Kraft stated "We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further."[2] If convicted, Kraft would face up to a sixty day jail sentence,[3] though CNN analyst Paul Callan says it is rare for men who solicit prostitutes, or "johns," to get arrested. The NFL stated, "The NFL is aware of the ongoing law enforcement matter and will continue to monitor developments."[3][4]
ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported that he had heard that Kraft was not the biggest name involved in the sting and that the situation would "heat up."[5]
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on the Florida prostitution sting: "There are people down there in that area I’m told who say this story is going to heat up and get a lot worse…I’m also told that Robert Kraft is not the biggest name involved down there"pic.twitter.com/BZTRkabUYi
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) February 22, 2019
President Trump, who is a friend of Kraft's, stated that he was "very surprised to see it," and noted that Kraft proclaimed his innocence (shown below).
#BREAKING: President Trump comments on the charges against Patriots owner Robert Kraft pic.twitter.com/q9rZjuGMjh
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) February 22, 2019
After the news broke, Kraft-Heinz stocks were reported to hit record lows.[6] Robert Kraft is the CEO of the Kraft group.
Popular jokes about the news include a tweet by @Pappiness that gained over 5,300 retweets and 16,000 likes (shown below, left) and a Hold My Beer joke by @TimRunsHisMouth that gained over 790 retweets and 2,000 likes (shown below, right).
Kraft Video
On April 17th, it was reported that prosecutors in the case intended to release video evidence of Kraft and the other 24 men indicted in the case paying for sex in the case. This was as per Florida's public records law, which states that "if a government agency has a record, it must be made public unless the law expressly saying otherwise."[7] The defense immediately challenged this. "If the affidavit says what happened, what is the interest the public has in seeing it?" said Kraft's attorney, William Burck. "It's basically pornography."[8] The judge ruled that the video not be released until a hearing was held about the matter. The hearing is scheduled for April 29th.[9]
Search Interest
External References
[1] TC Palm – Jupiter Police speak about human trafficking investigation
[2] New York Times – Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Charged in Florida Prostitution Sting
[3] CNN – New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft accused of soliciting sex, police say
[5] Twitter – @RyanSaveedra
[6] Fox Business – Kraft Heinz stock closes at historic low after SEC disclosure, dividend cut
[7] Deadspin – Robert Kraft Is Challenging The Florida Constitution To Keep You From Seeing Video Of His Hand Job
[8] Complex – Florida Prosecutors Plan to Release Robert Kraft Day Spa Videos
[9] ABC News – Judge halts prosecutors' efforts to release police surveillance video of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, others inside spa rooms
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Top Comments
sborbl
Apr 18, 2019 at 11:07AM EDT
Panuru
Feb 22, 2019 at 04:06PM EST