Former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, and two others have been taken into custody. The FBI and the Barron County Sheriff’s Department arrested the trio on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. The men were taken into custody on account of their sexual crimes and have been indicted on sexual trafficking and prostitution charges. They were charged with running an international sex trafficking business and 15 counts of interstate prostitution.
Mike Jeffries’ Sexual Trafficking Charges
Mike Jeffries, 80, and his romantic partner, Matthew Smith, 60, were arrested and indicted on Tuesday. An employee, James Jacobson, 71, was also arrested in Rice Lake City. The arrest occurred a year after BBC reported about Jeffries and Smith’s sexual exploitation of young men. The assaults allegedly happened during events hosted in their New York residences and hotels worldwide. Jeffries and the other two reportedly trafficked over a dozen men, according to the FBI and federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors filed the indictment with the Eastern District of New York federal office last week. It was unsealed Tuesday morning after the men’s arrests. The indictment alleged that Jeffries and Smith employed Jacobson, also known as “Jim Jake,” “Mrs. Cook,” and “Todd.” The latter recruited and paid men for Mike Jeffries and Smith’s international sex trafficking and prostitution trade. This went on from 2008 to 2015. Jacobson’s role also included getting “tryouts” from the men to test them after an interview.
Mike Jeffries Coerced the Men
According to the indictment, Mike Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson lured the victims with promises. They allegedly told their victims that performing the sexual acts could lead to modeling opportunities with Abercrombie & Fitch. They also enticed the men by promising it would favor their careers. On the other hand, they told the men it could ruin their careers if they failed to comply. Additionally, they intentionally recruited heterosexual men and pressured them into sexual acts.
Furthermore, Mike Jeffries and his co-conspirators allegedly forced those who couldn’t comply. They did this by injecting the men with an erection-inducing substance in their penises. Jeffries further paid the men to travel worldwide for commercial sex. He also hired staff to monitor and oversee the sexual events. The indictment alleged that the three men worked with many people, including security professionals, to keep their business a secret and fulfill their sexual lusts.
Lawsuits Filed Against Mike Jeffries and His Partners
David Bradberry, one of those who filed a lawsuit against Mike Jeffries, claimed that Abercrombie was complicit. Bradberry alleged that Abercombie became successful on the back of Jeffries’ “over-sexualization of young men.” In his lawsuit filed for him and 100 other male models, Bradberry claimed that Mike Jeffries would have scouts look for attractive men looking to model. The selected ones would go to Jeffries’ home, where they would be sexually abused and then sent to different countries to be sexually abused.
After the court appearance, Dean Kaire, an attorney representing many of the alleged victims, said, “Today marks a big step forward on behalf of David Bradberry and the other survivors in this action. The arrest this morning serves as a validation of their bravery in coming forward and sharing their stories and experiences, and our law firm looks forward to continue representing all survivors of abuse and ensuring that all parties are held responsible.”
Mike Jeffries Granted Bail
Mike Jeffries was granted a $10 million bail after his court appearance on Tuesday. He must also wear a GPS ankle monitor and stay in his Plam Beach apartment. However, Smith was denied bail because of his dual UK and US citizenship, which makes him a flight risk. He also waived pretrial intervention. The 60-year-old will be moved to New York from Florida, where he and Jeffries were arrested. Meanwhile, Jacobson got a $500,000 bond after his arraignment on Tuesday.
Lawyers for Jeffries and Smith have denied the charges against both men. They promised to respond to the allegations after the indictment was unsealed and at the appropriate time. However, they noted that they would do so in court and not in the media. Jacobson has also denied having contact with Mike Jeffries and Matthew Smith since 2015.
Conclusion
If found guilty, Mike Jeffries, Matthew Smith, and James Jacobson’s sex trafficking charge carries a maximum life penalty. They could also face an additional 20 years maximum for the prostitution charge. Hopefully, the truth will be revealed and justice served. In the meantime, the FBI and prosecutors have urged other victims to come forward.
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