Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Arrested on Sex Trafficking Charges
The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, was arrested in South Florida on Tuesday morning on sex trafficking-related charges. The charges were brought by federal prosecutors in New York, as reported by NBC News. This arrest follows accusations made against Jeffries last year, alleging that he was involved in a large-scale sex-trafficking ring that exploited young men aspiring to become models for the brand.
Associates Also Charged
According to NBC, two of Jeffries' associates, Matthew Smith from West Palm Beach, Florida, and James Jacobson from Wisconsin, were also charged in relation to the sex trafficking case. This news broke just hours before federal prosecutors in Brooklyn were set to announce the arrests of a "former CEO of a major company" and two others in a "sex trafficking and interstate prostitution case."
Lawsuit Against Abercrombie & Fitch and Former CEO
In October 2023, Abercrombie & Fitch and Jeffries were sued. The court documents from that time painted a grim picture, accusing Jeffries, who was once lauded for shaping the brand's provocative image, of orchestrating a horrific sex trafficking operation.
A BBC investigation in the fall of 2023 also uncovered systematic abuse involving Jeffries' partner Matthew Smith, and associate James Jacobson, under the guise of offering modeling opportunities.
Systematic Operation Spanning Decades
The BBC's two-year investigation involved 12 witnesses and revealed a systematic operation that ran from the 1990s through 2015. The investigation alleges that Jeffries, with the assistance of Smith and Jacobson, lured young men into a cycle of abuse. These men were enticed with the promise of lucrative modeling contracts with Abercrombie & Fitch, which often led to coercive sexual encounters at various luxury locations worldwide, from New York to Marrakesh.
Brittany Henderson, an attorney from the law firm Edwards Henderson, which is representing the plaintiff in the case, told CNBC, "Today's arrests are monumental for the aspiring male models who were victimized by these individuals." She added, "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."
No Known Connections to Other High-Profile Cases
There is currently no information suggesting that Jeffries or his associates had any connections with Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was arrested in New York last month and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Similarly, there are no known links between Jeffries and the infamous Jeffrey Epstein's trafficking scheme of minors to politically connected and financially powerful individuals.
Bottom Line
The arrest of the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch and his associates on sex trafficking charges is a significant development. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dark underbelly of the fashion industry, where young aspiring models can be exploited by those in positions of power. What are your thoughts on this shocking news? Share this article with your friends and let them know about this development. Sign up for the Daily Briefing, available every day at 6pm, to stay informed about this and other important news.
