By Federal prosecutors charged former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his partner Tuesday with operating an international sex trafficking operation that allegedly used the executive’s wealth and corporate influence to exploit vulnerable men.
Authorities arrested Jeffries, 80, his partner Matthew Smith, 61, and their alleged recruiter James Jacobson, 71, on charges involving what prosecutors described as a “violent and exploitive” sexual enterprise. Following a court appearance, Jeffries was released on a $10 million bond, while Jacobson was released on $500,000 bond. Smith was ordered detained.
Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, alleged Jeffries leveraged his position as A&F chief executive to “traffic men for his own sexual pleasure” and Smith’s gratification. The operation reportedly involved a sophisticated network of recruiters targeting men worldwide.
Prosecutors claim Jacobson conducted “tryouts” with potential victims, engaging them in paid sexual acts for Jeffries’ approval. Approved men were then allegedly flown to Jeffries’ New York residence where they were “pressured to consume alcohol, Viagra, and muscle relaxants.” The indictment cites 15 victims but suggests “dozens and dozens of men” were involved.
The investigation, initially sparked by BBC reporting, revealed allegations that Jeffries and Smith personally or through others “injected men with an erection inducing substance” when victims were unwilling or unable to participate. Prosecutors say Jeffries spent millions maintaining the operation’s secrecy through international travel, hotel stays, and paid staff.
Brad Edwards, a civil attorney representing alleged victims, called the arrests “a huge first step towards obtaining justice” following what he termed “unprecedented reporting of the BBC.” A civil lawsuit filed in New York also accuses Jeffries and Smith of sex trafficking, rape, and sexual assault, while claiming A&F funded the operation during Jeffries’ tenure as CEO.
The BBC’s investigation interviewed 12 men who described attending or organizing events between 2009 and 2015. Some alleged they were misled about the nature of the gatherings or enticed with promises of modeling opportunities with A&F. David Bradberry, then 23, told the BBC the operation “was like he was selling fame. And the price was compliance.”
Jeffries’ attorney said they would “respond in detail to the allegations after the Indictment is unsealed.” Jacobson previously denied through counsel any “coercive, deceptive or forceful behaviour.” A&F declined to comment on the arrests.
Jeffries left A&F in 2014 with a retirement package valued at approximately $25 million following declining sales and controversies over discrimination claims and lavish expenses. The company says its current leadership was unaware of the allegations until contacted by the BBC and “abhors sexual abuse.”
The defendants are scheduled to appear in court again Friday. If convicted, they face potential life sentences for the sex trafficking charges.
