Houston Texans minority owner, Javier Loya, is facing serious charges of rape and sexual abuse in Kentucky, according to court records. The 53-year-old has been indicted and pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree rape, five counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and one count of third-degree sexual abuse in Jefferson County.

Loya, who is also the co-founder and chairman of Houston company OTC Global Holdings, has had a stake in the Texans since their inception in 2002. However, his position as a minority owner has come under scrutiny after the recent allegations against him. According to CBS affiliate WAVE 3 News, Loya is accused of groping and sexually abusing multiple women during private parties at his house on consecutive days in 2022.

Court documents reveal that at least three women who were hired to work at a party hosted by Loya in May 2022 were sexually abused. The alleged incidents have shocked the community and raised concerns about the safety of women attending private events.

In response to the charges, Loya's lead legal counsel, Andrew J. Sarne, released a statement on behalf of his client, stating that Loya "unequivocally and categorically denies these allegations and will vigorously defend his innocence." Sarne also mentioned that Loya voluntarily took and passed a polygraph test, which he claims confirms his innocence.

The Houston Texans, upon learning of the charges, released a statement acknowledging the severity of the allegations against Loya. They announced that Loya had agreed to remove himself entirely from any team or league activities while the charges are pending. The team promptly notified the NFL of the serious pending charges, and the league ensured that Loya was not permitted to participate in any league or club activities. As a result, Loya is no longer on any league committees.

Sources close to the matter have indicated that Loya's stake in the team is less than 1%, and ownership stakes are not publicly disclosed. However, his alleged involvement in such serious charges has drawn significant attention and raised questions about the vetting process for team owners.

The case is scheduled for a pretrial conference on August 22, where further details of the allegations and the evidence against Loya are expected to be presented. It is a crucial moment for both Loya and the victims as the outcome of the case will determine Loya's future involvement with the Houston Texans and the NFL.

It is important to note that Loya's lawyer maintains his client's innocence and highlights the polygraph test results as evidence supporting Loya's claim. However, the validity and reliability of polygraph tests as evidence in court have long been a topic of debate among legal experts.

The allegations against Loya serve as a reminder of the ongoing issue of sexual abuse and the importance of providing a safe environment for all individuals. As the legal proceedings continue, both the Texans organization and the NFL will be closely monitoring the case and making decisions based on the outcome.