HOUSTON – Texans minority owner Javier Loya has agreed to a single misdemeanor of harassment with intent to annoy as charges he originally faced alleging rape and sexual abuse in Kentucky were dismissed Monday, per his legal counsel, Andrew J. Sarne.
Loya has paid a $100 fine as one count of rape and six charges of sexual abuse were dropped against him by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Loya allegedly hired four female models to work at two parties he held in Kentucky and he was accused by those women of sexual abuse.
Recommended Videos
Loya, 55, the chairman and CEO of OTC Global Holdings, has been a minority owner of the Texans since the the launch of the AFC South franchise in 2002. Loya was initially facing a rape charge, five first-degree sexual abuse charges and one third-degree sexual abuse charge in Kentucky, according to court records.
“I wanted to say this process has taken a very heavy toll on me and my family,” Loya said in a telephone interview with KPRC 2 from Kentucky. “Once the charges were dropped, I accepted the Alford plea, which allows me to maintain my innocence and put this matter behind me.”
Throughout the case, since being charged by the Commonwealth of Kentucky a year ago, Loya has denied the charges. And the prosecutor dismissed those charges Monday.
“In May of 2023, charges against Javier Loya were brought by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which Mr. Loya immediately and vigorously denied,” Sarne said. “After a thorough examination of evidence over the last year, the prosecution has dismissed all seven counts. Mr. Loya has agreed to accept a charge of ‘harassment with intent to annoy’, a class B misdemeanor. A $100.00 fine was paid by Mr. Loya.
“While still expressing his innocence, this process has been very difficult for him and his family. Throughout this ordeal, Mr. Loya had unwavering faith in the legal system despite enduring intense public scrutiny and prejudgment before due process was completely afforded to him. With this resolution, Mr. Loya will focus on family and a return to normality.”
At the outset of the case, Sarne said in a statement to KPRC 2 that Loya voluntarily took and passed a polygraph test regarding the allegations.
In a telephone interview, Sarne said Monday: “We’re very pleased for Javier that this matter is now behind him. It has taken a heavy toll on him and his family. We’re pleased that the Commonwealth was able to look at the evidence and determine the charges initially brought did not match the evidence..”
Loya entered a not-guilty plea and posted a $50,000 bond on May 16, 2023.
“First and foremost, I want to focus on my family, having two young girls in college, helping them as they navigate their opportunities, scholastic and otherwise,” Loya said. “My business is a thriving business headquartered in Houston. I will continue in my role as president and chairman and, ultimately, my philanthropy endeavors and charitable causes in Houston and my hometown in El Paso that I continue to contribute to and be a part of.”
Loya became the NFL’s first Hispanic owner when he purchased a minority stake in the Texans. He is a 1991 Columbia University who played football for the Ivy League school.
Loya, a Houston businessman who is the co-founder of OTC Global Holdings, an independent commodity broker, graduated from Columbia University in 1991, where he also played football. He became the NFL’s first Hispanic owner when he purchased a minority stake in the Texans.
Loya hasn’t been working with the team or being involved in league matters at this time while dealing with his legal situation through a mutual agreement. Now, Loya said he wants to have conversations with the Texans and the NFL about moving forward.
‘It’s my priority to speak with my partners with Hannah McNair and Cal McNair and the NFL commissioner’s office and I’ve been on the diversity committee for 20 years, and we’ve done some important work there,” Loya said. “When I’m not busy with my business and other endeavors, I’m a big fan and I’m looking forward to cheering on the Texans.”
Added Carne: “Javier agreed to a nearly one-year cessation of NFL activity. He is looking forward to having those meetings to go forward in a positive manner. Javier is just looking forward to meeting with everyone now that the charges have been dropped and having a chance to sit down and talk.”
The allegations stemmed from incidents on May 15 and May 16 last year and the accusations were from four women.
If he had been convicted of rape in the first degree, Loya could have faced a sentence ranging from 10 to 20 years imprisonment. If he had been convicted of sexual abuse in the first degree, Loya could have faced a sentence ranging between one and five years. If convicted of sexual abuse in the first degree, Loya could have been sentenced to 90 days imprisonment and a $250 fine. Instead, Loya has paid a $100 fine and agreed to a Class B misdemeanor.
“We are aware of the serious charges filed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky against Javier Loya, one of our outside limited partners,” the Texans said in a statement. at the time “We have agreed with Mr. Loya that while these charges are pending, he will remove himself entirely from any team or League activities.”
An NFL spokesman issued the following statement to KPRC 2 regarding this legal matter: “We have been monitoring developments in the matter, which will be reviewed under the Personal Conduct Policy.”
At the time of the accusations first being made public last year, the NFL issued a statement emphasizing that the Texans quickly informed the league about Loya’s legal situation.
“The club promptly notified the league of the serious pending charges against Mr. Loya after they were filed,” an NFL spokesman said in a statement. “Mr. Loya has not been permitted to participate in any league or club activity during this process. He is no longer on any league committees.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.