Amid the ongoing discussion about Washington Commanders Dan Snyder’s alleged sexual harassment of the former team employee Tiffani Johnston, one new front-office name has been added to the notorious list. The Houston Texans minority owner Javier Loya is facing legal battles due to groping and sexually abusing several women during private parties at his house back in 2022.
However, Loya reportedly posted a $50,000 bond and pleaded not guilty on May 15. A pre-trial conference is set to happen on August 22 for the alleged incident that took place earlier this year. The former college football star was indicted earlier on May 10 in Jefferson County Circuit Court.
How much stake does Texans minority owner Javier Loya own?
Any minority owner of the NFL owns anything less than 50% of a particular team. Javier’s exact share portion had not been disclosed publicly, albeit a person familiar with the franchise’s ownership structure said he possesses less than 0.5 percent of the Houston- based team. He has been an owner of the franchise since it started its NFL journey back in 2002, per NBC Sports.
Besides this, Loya is chairman and chief executive of the commodities broker OTC Global Holdings that he co-founded back in 2007. He earned fame and money from Choice! Energy LP that he co-founded in 1994 along with two other partners before purchasing its full ownership in 2000.
Texans minority owner Javier Loya faces rape, sexual assault charges
According to a clerk of criminal courts in Jefferson County (Kentucky) Circuit Court, Loya has been facing several counts stemming from an arrest warrant of May that alleged him one count of first-degree rape along with five counts of first-degree sexual abuse as well as one count of third-degree sexual abuse, via NBC Sports.
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Houston #Texans minority owner Javier Loya faces first-degree rape charge in Kentucky, per Mike Florio.
Via @ProFootballTalk: "PFT has learned that Loya faces one count of first-degree rape, five counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and one count of third-degree… pic.twitter.com/mmaPSIlsfe
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 7, 2023
The Texans team released a statement following the incident and stated their mutual agreement with him to stay out of any team or club activities during this process.
“We are aware of the serious charges filed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky against Javier Loya, one of our outside limited partners. We have agreed with Mr. Loya that while these charges are pending, he will remove himself entirely from any team or League activities.”
However, the 53-year-old denied all the allegations via his attorney Andrew J. Sarne who said his client will defend his innocence at any cost.
“Mr. Loya is innocent and has pled not guilty to all charges. He unequivocally and categorically denies these allegations and will vigorously defend his innocence.”
It remains to be seen what consequences await for the minority owner. Given the NFL’s strict rules regarding sexual abuse, Loya might witness a severe punishment like Snyder if he is proven guilty of the charge.
