Former Abercrombie & Fitch boss Mike Jeffries, along with his partner Matt Smith, and a third defendant, James Jacobson, are facing serious allegations of sex trafficking and forced prostitution. Jeffries, 80, and Smith, 61, were arrested at their home in West Palm Beach, while Jacobson, 71, was taken into custody in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The accusations against Jeffries include using his position to lure in aspiring male models and subjecting them to sexual abuse. Prosecutors claim that at least 15 victims, with the youngest being 19 years old, were identified between 2008 and 2015. The suspects allegedly employed a 'casting couch' system to exploit their victims, with fears that there may be more individuals affected.
The victims were reportedly coerced into humiliating sex acts and given drugs to manipulate their state of arousal. Despite efforts to conceal their crimes, including threats and nondisclosure agreements, the suspects now face legal consequences.
Abercrombie & Fitch, where Jeffries served as CEO from 1992 to 2014, expressed shock and disgust at the allegations. The company emphasized its commitment to a values-driven organization with zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, or discrimination.
The charges come following a civil lawsuit filed against Jeffries, Smith, and the clothing chain, accusing them of running a sex trafficking ring across multiple countries. The legal team for prior accusers welcomed the arrests as a step towards justice and accountability.
The FBI is urging additional victims to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
