Mike Jeffries is in the custody of West Palm Beach, Florida, police. The former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO is accused of engaging in sex trafficking and interstate prostitution, per NBC News. He worked for the popular retailer between 1992 and 2014.
Editor’s Note: This article was initially published on Oct. 22 and was updated on Oct. 25 with new information about the case.
More Details About The Alleged Crimes
Cops didn’t only bag Mike on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Associates of his, Matthew Smith and James Jacobson are also in police custody in connection to the trafficking charges. All three men reportedly had their federal court appearances in Florida on Tuesday.
Ultimately, 80-year-old Mike Jeffries was indicted on 16 federal counts of sex trafficking and international prostitution, per CNN. NBC reports that there was one count for trafficking and 15 counts for the other charge related to an alleged 15 victims. Matt and James were also indicted on Tuesday, CNN reports.
Breon Peace, an attorney for the Eastern District of NY, said on Tuesday that Mike Jeffries and Matthew were romantic partners who trafficked for self-pleasure.
“While Jeffries was the CEO of one of the most recognizable clothing retailers in the world, he was using his power, his wealth, and his influence to traffic men for his own sexual pleasure and that of his romantic partner, Matthew Smith,” Breon Peace reportedly said in a press conference.
Here’s What Prosecutors Allege Mike Jeffries Did
The indictment reportedly alleges that Mike, Matthew, and James all ran an “international sex trafficking and prostitution business” between December 2008 and March 2015. James, specifically, was the “recruiter” of the group, per CNN. He would reportedly interview and hire the men who performed commercial sex acts for Mike and Matt. Additionally, he allegedly sometimes required the men to “try out” by engaging in acts with him first.
The romantic partners allegedly hosted drug-fueled “sex events” during the time described. Victims were allegedly given muscle relaxants such as poppers. Additionally, the events provided alcohol, lubricant, Viagra, condoms, sex toys, and other objects for the acts. Mike and Matt also reportedly hired separate household staff to supervise the sex events and required signed non-disclosure agreements.
Furthermore, the indictment alleges that the men lured victims with the promise of modeling and career opportunities at Abercrombie & Fitch and often targeted heterosexual men. Not only that, Mike Jeffries and Matthew allegedly tapped into a network of employees, contractors, and security professionals from the retail company to run the trafficking ring.
Also, the indictment claims that the couple paid for men to travel within the U.S. and other countries for sexual acts. Those locations included the Hamptons and New York City and hotels in England, France, Italy, Morocco, and Saint Barthélémy.
“The message from today’s prosecution is clear: sexually exploiting vulnerable human beings is a crime in doing so by dangling dreams of a future in fashion or modeling or or any other business is no different,” U.S. Attorney Peace said.
Mike Pleads Not Guilty
Mike’s lawyer, Brian Bieber, said he plans to respond in court to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed. Smith’s lawyer reportedly shared the same message on Tuesday.
On Friday (Oct. 25), CNBC reported that Mike pled not guilty to the felony charges after appearing in a Long Island, New York court. Jeffries has been out on a $10 million bond since he appeared in a West Palm Beach court on Tuesday. He’s restricted to home confinement and location monitoring.
James Jacobson also reportedly pled not guilty on Friday. He was initially arrested in Wisconsin, where he lives. However, like Mike Jeffries, he was released on a $500,000 bond after appearing in a Minnesota court on Tuesday. Like Mike, he is restricted to home confinement and location monitoring.
Meanwhile, Mike’s romantic partner, Matthew Smith, remains in police custody given that his U.K. citizenship makes him a greater flight risk.
Mike Jeffries’ sex trafficking charges follow another similar high-profile case that’s also based in New York. Last month, federal agents arrested Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs at a hotel in NYC on sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution charges. Earlier this month, a judge set his trial start for 2025. He remains behind bars in Brooklyn, New York City. Most recently, his sons and daughters penned a public message standing on their support for him.
