Robert Kraft’s arrest for solicitation of prostitution stemmed from an investigation into sex trafficking at a massage parlor in Florida, but the New England Patriots owner seems to have a good chance of distancing himself from that aspect of the case.
Kraft was charged with two counts of misdemeanor solicitation of prositution after he was allegedly seen on video receiving illegal sex acts from two separate women. According to ESPN’s TJ Quinn, many women who worked at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter — including several who were living at the establishment — are believed to be victims of sex trafficking. However, the two women who engaged in sexual activity with Kraft do not appear to have been.
Quick Q&A with investigative reporter @TJQuinnESPN who says investigators were struck that Kraft made "no effort to conceal who he was." And more on the status of the women involved: pic.twitter.com/GAlBmMZIJb
— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) February 26, 2019
Quinn notes that one woman is the manager of the spa while the other has a valid New York driver’s license. Both have massage licenses from the state of Florida, so prosecutors have no reason to believe they were living “underground” lives.
Kraft initially denied engaging in any illegal activity, but reports have since indicated that he is unlikely to dispute the charges against him due to the strong video evidence. However, people initially wondered if he was involved with sex trafficking after the way the initial story broke. There has been no indication that he was.
It would be a surprise at this point if Kraft is harshly punished for his involvement in the case, but attorneys are still working to prevent what could be even more embarrassment for the 77-year-old.
