Patriots owner Robert Kraft charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution in Florida

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution at a Florida spa that is allegedly tied to an international human trafficking ring, police said Friday.

The 77-year-old was charged with paying for sexual services at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida. He has not been arrested, according to police. 

The spa was one of 10 that were reportedly shut down in Florida after a seven-month investigation found women in ‘sexual servitude,’ according to arrest records. About 200 arrest warrants have been issued in recent days and more are expected.

According to Martin County Sheriff Will Snyder, women were forced to live in the spa and were prevented from leaving. Many of the women, Snyder explained, came from China.   

The Patriots won the Super Bowl earlier this month in Atlanta. The team did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution at a Florida spa that is allegedly tied to an international human trafficking ring, police said Friday

In 2012, it was revealed that Kraft was dating actress and model Ricki Noel Lander, 39. Lander did give birth to a child in 2017, and while there was speculation it was his, Kraft has denied being the father following the child’s birth in 2018. It’s not clear if the two are still dating

Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey explained to conditions to reporters Thursday. 

‘These girls are there all day long, into the evening. They can’t leave and they’re performing sex acts,’ Currey said. ‘Some of them may tell us they’re OK, but they’re not. We know that… even though we may have charges on some of them, we’d rather them be victims.’ 

The spa’s owner, 58-year-old Hua Zhang, was arrested and charged with 26 counts of procuring prostitution.

Kraft’s wife Myra died from cancer in 2011 at age 68. 

In 2012, it was revealed that Kraft was dating actress and model Ricki Noel Lander, 39.

Lander did give birth to a child in 2017, and while there was speculation it was his, Kraft has denied being the father following the child’s birth in 2018.

It’s not clear if the two are still in a relationship.  

Kraft, the head of a holding company, bought the Patriots in 1994 for $172 million. Since then the franchise has been to 10 Super Bowls, winning six, most recently in on February 3 against the Los Angeles Rams.

He is reportedly worth $6.6 billion, according to Forbes.com, and does own property in Palm Beach. 

Kraft has a lease in the famed Breakers resort in Palm Beach, which is near President Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate.

Beyond donating to Trump’s inaugural fund, Kraft has also been a public support and friend of Trump.

Robert Kraft and Ricki Noel Lander kiss at a Lakers game in 2016