On Tuesday, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his romantic partner Matthew Smith, and associate James Jacobson were arrested on federal sex trafficking charges related to an alleged international operation that ran from 2008 to 2015.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn charged the three men with one count of sex trafficking and fifteen counts of interstate prostitution. The arrests followed a criminal investigation by the FBI and federal prosecutors into allegations that the defendants operated an international sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise.
According to the unsealed federal indictment, the defendants allegedly orchestrated elaborate events across multiple countries, including the United States, England, France, Italy, Morocco, and St. Barts. The operation reportedly involved recruiting young men with promises of modeling opportunities for Abercrombie & Fitch.
Prosecutors allege that Jacobson served as a recruiter, requiring potential victims to undergo “tryouts” with him before being introduced to Mike Jeffries and Matthew Smith. The indictment details that the events included the provision of drugs, sexual paraphernalia, and various substances, including muscle relaxants and erectile dysfunction medications that allegedly caused painful reactions lasting hours.
The criminal charges follow a series of civil lawsuits, including one filed by David Bradberry, a reality show star from “Below Deck.” Bradberry’s lawsuit accused the defendants of luring attractive young men under the pretense of modeling opportunities before forcing them into sexual acts.
A BBC investigation cited in recent court filings suggested that “Jeffries and Smith sexually exploited what is believed to be over 100 men during Abercrombie events they hosted around the world.” The investigation prompted Abercrombie & Fitch to launch an independent investigation last year.
Mike Jeffries, 80, was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he and Smith are scheduled for their first court appearance. Meanwhile, Jacobson will appear in federal court in Madison, Wisconsin, for his initial hearing. Eventually, all three defendants will be arraigned in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Brian Bieber, Jeffries’ attorney, stated to ABC News that they would “respond in detail to the allegations after the Indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse – not the media.”
Brad Edwards of Edwards Henderson, representing plaintiffs in the civil case, commented that “this was an Abercrombie run, sex trafficking organization that permeated throughout the company and allowed the three individuals arrested today to victimize dozens and dozens of young, aspiring male models.”
The arrests come as Abercrombie & Fitch, under current CEO Fran Horowitz, has been experiencing a substantial growth in business, with company shares up nearly 80% this year.