The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch was arrested Tuesday on charges of participating in an international sex trafficking operation using male models, federal prosecutors said.
Mike Jeffries, 80, is accused of recruiting models for the surgery, along with his “romantic partner” Matthew Smith and business associate James Jacobson. The three defendants were charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.
The suspects reportedly hired “undercover staff” to run events where drugs and alcohol were provided to facilitate the coercion of victims into sexual acts.
Breon Peace — United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York — said “This case should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can use the so-called casting couch system to exploit or coerce others,” he said at a press conference in Brooklyn. Get ready to exchange.”
Mr. Peace said that when Mr. Jeffries was CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 to 2014, he was “insecure about his own sexual pleasure and that of his lover, Smith.'' “He used his power, wealth and influence to traffick men in order to do so.”
Brad Edwards — civil attorney who represents some of the alleged victims — declared: “These arrests are a major step in seeking justice for the many victims who were exploited and abused through a sex trafficking scheme that operated for years under the legal cover provided by Abercrombie. .”
According to the indictment, Jeffries and Smith used Jacobsen, as well as their employees, contractors and security professionals, to “fulfil their sexual gratification and ensure the secrecy of their international sex trafficking and prostitution operations.” He claims that he carried out an operation “with the purpose of
The former retail executive and Mr. Smith relied on vast financial resources, Mr. Jeffries' power as CEO of Abercrombie, and a host of people, including Mr. Jacobson and a network of employees, contractors, and security experts. He ran a business that was “dedicated to serving a purpose.” “ensured that their sexual desires and their international sex trafficking and prostitution businesses remained secret,” the indictment alleges.
Ms Peace said the models were told they had to comply with sexual demands or their modeling careers could be harmed. Authorities said Jeffries and Smith planned to force the alleged victims into violent sexual contact.
Peace said the international sex trafficking operation allegedly lasted from at least 2008 until 2015 and required millions of dollars to support extensive infrastructure to maintain secrecy.
Federal prosecutors have identified 15 victims of the sex trafficking operation, but Peace said there are “dozens” of potential victims.
The peacers claimed that Jeffries and Smith hired Jacobson as a “recruiter” and paid them to find men and engage in sex acts.
According to the indictment, Jacobson traveled throughout the United States and abroad recruiting men for alleged sexual events. Prosecutors said Mr. Jacobson first required candidates to have sex with him to determine whether they were worthy of taking over from Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith.
The alleged sexual acts reportedly occurred in New York, London and Venice.
The indictment alleges that many of the alleged victims were coerced into modeling opportunities and teased.
“In exchange for providing Jeffries with the positions of power and unrestricted access to corporate funds necessary to inflict sexual terror on aspiring male models, Abercrombie has removed Jefferies from Jefferies and its sex trafficking operations, “Brands knowingly and knowingly profited from and received anything of value, including value that they themselves provided,'' the complaint states.
Peace alleged that Smith personally selected the men and took them to the couple's home in the Hamptons and hotels around the world “for commercial sex.”
The suspects reportedly hired “undercover staff” to run events in which drugs and alcohol were provided to the alleged victims to facilitate the extortion of sex acts. Officials are said to have ensured that the alleged victims handed over their cellphones and signed non-disclosure agreements.
“Prosecutions like this simply would not be possible without the courage of victims who are willing to report what happened to them to law enforcement,” Peace declared.
Jeffries' lawyer, Brian Bieber, told USA Today that Jeffries' legal team will “respond as appropriate after the indictment is unsealed, but in court and not in the media.” ” he said.
Federal prosecutors said the investigation began in January after the victims allegedly filed a civil lawsuit a year ago.
When the accusations first surfaced in 2023, Abercrombie & Fitch said it was “appalled and disgusted” by the accusations and would hire an outside law firm to investigate the allegations. Ta.
Jeffries was known for turning Abercrombie & Fitch into a powerful fashion brand. One of the plaintiffs, David Bradbury, a former crew member on the reality show “Below Deck,” said Jeffries had made Abercrombie a success because of the “hypersexualization of young people.” ABC News reported.
Abercrombie & Fitch declined to comment to ABC News.
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