Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been arrested on charges related to a sex trafficking scheme, according to two sources familiar with the case. Alongside Jeffries, two associates have also been detained in connection to the investigation, which originates from the Eastern District of New York.
The indictment, which includes over a dozen charges, alleges that between December 2008 and March 2015, Jeffries and his associates were involved in a scheme to recruit aspiring male models, a source revealed. A second source adds that these individuals were allegedly lured to sex-themed parties where they were provided with drugs, alcohol, and Viagra to perform sexual acts.
The other two individuals named in the indictment are Matthew Smith and James Jacobson. Prosecutors allege that between 2008 and 2015, Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson ran an international sex trafficking and prostitution ring designed to satisfy their sexual desires.
Smith, 61, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was romantically involved with Jeffries. Jacobson, 71, from Rice Lake, Michigan, was reportedly employed by Jeffries and Smith to recruit, interview, and hire men to engage in commercial sex acts with the pair, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
All three suspects were arrested earlier today. Jeffries and Smith are expected to appear in federal court in the Southern District of Florida this afternoon, while Jacobson was apprehended in Wisconsin and will make his initial court appearance in St. Paul, Minnesota. The trio will later face arraignment in the Eastern District of New York, according to the sources.
Brian Bieber, attorney for Mike Jeffries, stated: “We will 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.”
Jeffries and Smith allegedly funded trips for numerous men across the U.S. and internationally to destinations like the Hamptons, New York City, and luxury hotels in England, France, Italy, Morocco, and Saint Barthélemy, specifically to engage in sex acts with Jeffries, Smith, and others.
Jacobson’s role reportedly involved recruiting and interviewing men for what sources describe as “sex parties,” which featured alcohol, drugs, and the use of Viagra. Before being considered for these events, prospective candidates allegedly had to engage in sexual acts with Jacobson.
The men involved were reportedly subjected to a referral system and an interview process but were not informed of the explicit details of the parties, including the sexual activities expected of them.
In several instances, it is alleged that Jeffries and Smith either personally injected or directed others to inject men with drugs to induce them to perform sexual acts. Some victims were as young as 19 and, in some cases, had worked at Abercrombie & Fitch stores or modeled for the brand.
Many of these young men were seeking modeling opportunities or career advancements, a source explained.
The investigation gained traction in 2023 following a BBC exposé, which accused Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith, of using intermediaries to recruit and exploit young men. Last year, dozens of men filed a lawsuit against Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch, claiming that the former CEO had used his position to exploit them. The company responded by expressing shock at the allegations and initiating an independent investigation.
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Jeffries was the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 until his retirement in 2014. During his tenure, he turned the company into a global teen fashion brand known for its provocative marketing.
In a 2006 interview with Salon, Jeffries made controversial comments, stating: “We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong (in our clothes), and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely.”
Abercrombie & Fitch faced backlash in the 2010s, and in 2013, a Change.org petition with nearly 80,000 signatures called on the company to introduce more inclusive clothing sizes. That same year, the company announced it would begin offering plus-size options. Jeffries stepped down in 2014 amidst growing public criticism of his exclusionary business approach.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Correction: This story has been updated to clarify that James Jacobson will make his initial court appearance in Minnesota.
