Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, was apprehended early Tuesday on allegations of orchestrating an international sex-trafficking network during his tenure at the fashion company, which was formerly recognised for its provocative advertising campaigns.
Jeffries, 80, was apprehended for sex trafficking and participating in interstate prostitution alongside two purported accomplices, Matthew Smith, 61, and James Jacobson, 71, as stated by U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, during a press conference.
The three defendants employed force, deception, and coercion to exploit those men for their own sexual enjoyment, stated Peace, who urged any further victims to step forward and reach out to the FBI.
“There may be additional victims, and we aspire to deliver justice,” Peace stated, noting that while they are aware of 15 victims to date, there could be “numerous others.”
The charges follow allegations that Jeffries and his British partner, Smith, sexually exploited and abused men with the promise of jobs with the clothing company, as previously reported by the BBC. Jacobson is accused of acting as a recruiter who helped organize the sex trafficking, said Peace.
From 2008 to early 2015, aspiring male models for the company were taken to private locations and forced to sign non-disclosure agreements, according to Peace. He added that their clothing and other personal belongings were then taken away, and they would be given muscle relaxers, alcohol and/or Viagra. If they felt they were incapable or unwilling to engage in the sex acts pushed upon them, they would be given erection-inducing injections, said Peace.
“Many of the victims, at least one of whom was as young as 19 years old, were financially vulnerable and aspired to become models in the fashion industry,” Peace said in a statement released by his office.
Evidence against the defendants includes travel and financial records, and testimony of victims and witnesses, said Peace.
Attorney Brian Bieber, who had previously represented Jeffries in the allegations, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to a class-action lawsuit filed against Jeffries and Smith in September, the former CEO’s alleged sex trafficking took place from 1992 to 2014, a significantly longer period than the one Peace has alleged.
The suit echoes many of the disturbing allegations presented by Peace’s office, though it also accuses Abercrombie & Fitch, which is listed as a defendant in the case, of turning “a blind eye to his blatant misconduct so that the company would remain profitable during the most prominent years of Jeffries’s abuse.”
A spokesperson for the company declined to comment in an email to HuffPost.
Jeffries took over as CEO of the fashion company in 1992 and retired in 2014. The following year, the company announced plans to move away from its “sexualized marketing” campaigns that prominently featured half-naked male models.
A pedestrian carries an Abercrombie & Fitch shopping bag in 2013. The retailer in 2015 announced plans to move away from its “sexualized marketing” campaigns that featured half-naked male models. Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
An attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case hailed the arrests in a statement to HuffPost.
“Today’s arrests are monumental for the aspiring male models who were victimized by these individuals,” attorney Brittany Henderson said. “Their fight for justice does not end here. We look forward to holding Abercrombie and Fitch liable for facilitating this terrible conduct and ensuring that this cannot happen again.”
If convicted of the sex trafficking charge, all three men face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. If convicted of the interstate prostitution charges, they face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
Peace said all three are expected to be arraigned in New York at the end of this week or next week.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 111 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.