Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, Partner, and Recruiter Arrested for Allegations of Sex Trafficking and Interstate Prostitution – Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Attorneys

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and their recruiter James Jacobson have been arrested and are facing charges for sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. In addition, all three men and Abercrombie & Fitch have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by victims.

About the Situation

According to federal prosecutors, Former CEO Mike Jeffries (80), his partner Matthew Smith (61), and a middleman who served as their recruiter James Jacobson (71), formed a part of an elaborate sex trafficking and prostitution ring. They reportedly abused over a dozen young aspiring male models, the youngest being 19. The abuse reportedly occurred for nearly a decade, from 2008 to 2015.

Jeffries is said to have abused his “power, wealth, and… influence” to traffic young men for his own sexual pleasures during this time. Jacobson was the recruiter; he lured victims (store employees and models) to “sex parties” around the world. The trio reportedly promised their victims modeling careers.

Allegedly, Jacobson would pick out “prospective candidates” and require that they had a “sexual encounter or tryout” with him. These young men were then sent to Smith, who then “approved” candidates. Victims experienced “the insertion of large sex toys into the anus” and “high-pressured enemas administered by inserting a hose into the anus” during this time.

Victims were forced to take drugs and use lubricants; some were administered erection-inducing injections. Jeffries and Smith administered these injections themselves and also directed others to inject them; this was “for the purpose of causing the men to engage in sex acts in which they were otherwise physically incapable or unwilling” to engage or participate in. These injections essentially allowed both Jeffries and Smith to “fulfill their own sexual desires” as they caused the men to submit to them. These injections resulted in painful physical reactions that usually lasted hours.

Victims were forced to wear costumes and use sex toys. Jeffries and the others would personally shave victims’ genitals in the time leading up to “sex parties” and other “sex events.” These events were usually held at Jeffries’ upscale homes in Watermill and Manhattan. However, some victims were sent out in jets to hotels around the world (including France, the UK, Italy, Morocco, and Saint Barthelemy) or to a “luxury international cruise ship” where they were sexually attacked.

At least two male victims have told the authorities that they were subjected to nonconsensual anal sex at Jeffries’ home in the Hamptons. These men claimed that Jeffries would hold down their heads forcing them to take drugs before sexual acts.

This was more than random sexual misconduct towards models and employees. Jeffries and his associates operated an extensive network targeting vulnerable individuals looking for opportunities to become models or better their careers. Jeffries and Smith reportedly spent millions creating the infrastructure that supported their operation. They paid a secret staff to run their “sex events.” This staff was in charge of booking domestic and international travel arrangements for victims. The trio also had a full-service security company that oversaw NDAs, conducted background checks, surveilled witnesses, and more.

According to prosecutors, charges faced by Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson are related to 15 “John Doe’s,” although there are many other victims.