Robert Kraft: New England Patriots owner charged in prostitution and human trafficking ring bust

Police say they have video of Mr Kraft engaging in sex acts with a prostitute in the Orchids of Asia Day Spa

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged in Florida after allegedly soliciting a prostitute, police say.

Mr Kraft, 77, was charged by officials after an investigation in the city of Jupiter, where a sex sting operation targeted the Orchids of Asia Day Spa.

Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr confirmed the sting on Friday, and said that there is video evidence of all 100 or so men being charged.

"He is being charged with the same offence as the others, and that is soliciting another to commit prostitution," Mr Kerr said on Friday. "Right now we have two [charges]. ... Two different visits."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr Kraft said that they "categorically deny that Mr Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further." The Patriots did not immediately comment.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Kerr previewed to reporters that the sex trafficking sting would include a well-known celebrity.

"There will be a news maker in this one," he said.

Mr Kraft is billionaire and well known friend of Donald Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago resort is just miles south of the Jupiter day spa where the prostitution is alleged to have taken place. Mr Kraft has been a frequent visitor to the resort.

The billionaire was reportedly in Florida over the weekend for the Dana-Farber Institute fundraiser, but it is not clear if he visited the day spa during that time.

Mr Kraft has owned the Patriots for 25 years, and is worth an estimated $6.6b. He bought the Patriots for $172m in 1994.