Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries Charged in Federal Sex Trafficking Case
New York, NY – Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, along with his romantic partner Matthew Smith and an employee James Jacobson, were arrested on Tuesday on multiple charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. The arrests come after a grand jury in New York returned an indictment charging the trio with one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution.
According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly operated an international sex trafficking and prostitution business from approximately 2008 to 2015. Federal prosecutors allege that Jeffries and Smith used their wealth and influence to lure men into sex acts, often by promising them modeling opportunities with the iconic clothing brand. Jacobson, who was employed by Jeffries, allegedly acted as a recruiter, holding “tryouts” with potential victims and sending selected men to Smith for approval.
The indictment details a network of sexual bacchanals held in various locations around the world, including New York, England, France, Italy, Morocco, and St. Barts. Prosecutors allege that Jeffries and Smith paid for dozens of men to travel to these locations to engage in sex acts with them and other men. The men were allegedly given drugs, lubricants, condoms, costumes, sex toys, and sometimes even erection-inducing penile injections that caused painful, hourslong reactions.
Many of the victims were financially vulnerable and aspired to become models in the fashion industry, according to prosecutors. Some of the men recruited had previously worked at Abercrombie stores or modeled for the company. The defendants allegedly used coercive, fraudulent, and deceptive tactics to recruit the men, leading them to believe that attending the “Sex Events” could yield modeling opportunities or otherwise benefit their careers.
The indictment states that the defendants maintained secrecy by requiring the men to sign non-disclosure agreements and confiscating their personal items during the events. They also allegedly used a full-service security company to oversee the non-disclosure agreements, conduct background checks, and surveil witnesses.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said in a press conference on Tuesday that Jeffries was using his power, wealth, and influence to traffic men for his own sexual pleasure and that of his partner Smith. “Powerful individuals for too long have trafficked and abused for their own sexual pleasure young people with few resources and a dream — a dream of securing a successful career in fashion or entertainment,” Peace said. “To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using the so-called ‘casting couch’ system, this case should serve as a warning.”
Jeffries, who served as CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 to 2014, was released on a 10millionbondfollowinghisarrestinWestPalmBeach,Florida.HeisscheduledtoappearinfederalcourtinNewYorkonFridayforanarraignment.Jacobson,whowasarrestedinWisconsin,wasreleasedona500,000 bond after making his initial appearance in federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota. Smith, who is a dual U.S.-British citizen, was ordered detained pending his arraignment due to concerns that he might flee the country.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for sex trafficking and a potential life sentence on that charge alone. They also face up to 20 years in prison on each of the 15 counts of interstate prostitution.
The arrests come a year after Abercrombie & Fitch and Jeffries were sued in Manhattan federal court for allegedly turning a blind eye to sexual misconduct by the former CEO. The civil class-action complaint accused Jeffries and Smith of operating a sex trafficking ring that exploited young men who had hoped to become models for the company.
Abercrombie & Fitch has distanced itself from Jeffries’ alleged actions, stating that the company’s current executive leadership team and board of directors were not aware of the allegations of sexual misconduct. The company has also hired an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation into the issues raised by the media.
Jeffries, who is now 80 years old, led Abercrombie & Fitch through its most explosive growth years in the 1990s and 2000s. Under his direction, the brand became known for its use of half-naked models, sexually charged marketing, and troops of shirtless men who were frequently positioned outside of its mall stores. However, his focus on making the brand intentionally “exclusionary” also drew criticism, and the company has since distanced itself from the Jeffries era through a rebranding effort.