Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, along with his partner Matthew Smith and employee James Jacobson, were arrested and charged on October 22 for alleged involvement in human trafficking and prostitution. The charges accuse them of promising modeling opportunities to young men, luring them into drug-fueled sex parties.
The indictment, filed in Brooklyn federal court, claims that Jeffries and his associates exploited their positions, wealth, and resources to engage in a global operation centered around procuring young men for their sexual appetites.
Federal prosecutor Breon Peace emphasized the severity of the charges, highlighting that those who exploit others under the guise of offering modeling opportunities should be held accountable for their actions. “Sexual exploitation of vulnerable individuals is a crime,” he stated. “Using the glamour of the fashion and modeling industries to entice victims is equally reprehensible.” James Dennehy, the FBI’s New York assistant director, termed the allegations against the trio “disturbing.”
Many of the details in the indictment mirror civil lawsuits filed by multiple young victims, which allege that Jeffries promised them modeling jobs in exchange for sexual acts that satisfied the defendants’ desires.
Attorneys for Jeffries and Smith, Brian Bieber and Joseph Nascimento respectively, responded to media inquiries by stating, “The truth will come out in court.” Jacobson asserted that he was not involved in any coercive or deceptive actions and was unaware of such behaviors occurring.
The three defendants are scheduled to appear in a St. Paul, Minnesota court later after their arrests—Jeffries and Smith in Florida and Jacobson in Wisconsin. They face charges of human trafficking and interstate prostitution, backed by testimonies from 15 alleged victims.
The indictment alleges that between 2008 and 2015, the defendants funded the grooming of dozens of young men for prostitution in hotels located in New York, the UK, France, Italy, and St. Barts in the Caribbean, catering to their sexual interests. Victims reportedly endured drug use and were subjected to demeaning acts involving lubricants, condoms, fetish clothing, sexual toys, and even painful drugs designed to prolong erection, all while being coerced into signing non-disclosure agreements.
About the author