Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith, along with an associate, were arrested and charged with sex trafficking on October 22. The allegations include luring young men with promises of modeling jobs, only to entice them into drug-fueled sex parties.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed charges in the Brooklyn federal court, claiming that this couple, along with employee James Jacobson, exploited Jeffries’ position as a prominent CEO, along with his wealth and a staff deemed “butler-like,” to engage in a global sex trafficking and prostitution ring to satisfy their sexual appetites.
Federal prosecutor Breon Peace commented that those who take advantage of others—especially through the unacceptable practice of “sleeping with directors for acting opportunities”—need to learn a valuable lesson from this case. He emphasized, “Exploiting the vulnerable for sex is a crime. Luring individuals in the fashion or modeling industry with false promises is equally reprehensible.” FBI Assistant Director James Dennehy described the defendants’ alleged actions as “disgusting.”
The charges mirror claims made by several young victims in previous sexual assault lawsuits, stating that Jeffries offered modeling opportunities to the victims while coercing them into satisfying the sexual desires of the defendants.
When approached by the media, Jeffries’ lawyer, Brian Bieber, along with Smith’s attorneys, Joseph Nascimento and David Raben, remarked, “The truth will come out in court.” Jacobson asserted that he did not participate in, nor was he aware of, any alleged coercive, deceptive, or forceful actions.
The three defendants made their initial court appearances after their arrests; Jeffries and Smith were apprehended in Florida, while Jacobson was arrested in Wisconsin. All are set to appear in court in St. Paul, Minnesota. They face charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution, with 15 victims providing testimony against them.
The indictment states that between 2008 and 2015, the defendants allegedly financed the recruitment of dozens of men for prostitution in hotels in New York, the UK, France, Italy, and St. Barts, a Caribbean location. Victims received compensation but were forced to use drugs and were subjected to uncomfortable substances like lubricants, condoms, costumes, sex toys, and even painful injections to maintain erections, all while being required to sign confidentiality agreements.
