Mike Jeffries is within the custody of West Palm Beach, Florida, police. The former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO is accused of participating in intercourse trafficking and interstate prostitution, per NBC News. He labored for the favored retailer between 1992 and 2014.

Cops didn’t solely bag Mike on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Associates of his, Matthew Smith and James Jacobson are additionally in police custody in connection to the trafficking expenses. All three males reportedly had their federal courtroom appearances in Florida on Tuesday.

Ultimately, Mike Jeffries was indicted on 16 federal counts of intercourse trafficking and worldwide prostitution, per CNN. NBC experiences that there was one depend for trafficking and 15 counts for the opposite cost associated to an alleged 15 victims. Matt and James had been additionally indicted on Tuesday, CNN experiences.

Breon Peace, an lawyer for the Eastern District of NY, stated on Tuesday that Mike Jeffries and Matthew had been romantic companions 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 stated in a press convention.

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, particularly, was the “recruiter” of the group, per CNN. He would reportedly interview and rent the boys who carried out business intercourse acts for Mike and Matt. Additionally, he allegedly generally required the boys to “try out” by participating in acts with him first.

The romantic companions allegedly hosted drug-fueled “sex events” throughout the time described. Victims had been allegedly given muscle relaxants reminiscent of poppers. Additionally, the occasions supplied alcohol, lubricant, Viagra, condoms, intercourse toys, and different objects for the acts. Mike and Matt additionally reportedly employed separate family workers to oversee the intercourse occasions and required signed non-disclosure agreements.

Furthermore, the indictment alleges that the boys lured victims with the promise of modeling and profession alternatives at Abercrombie & Fitch and sometimes focused heterosexual males. Not solely that, Mike Jeffries and Matthew allegedly tapped right into a community of staff, contractors, and safety professionals from the retail firm to run the trafficking ring.

Also, the indictment claims that the couple paid for males to journey inside the U.S. and different nations for sexual acts. Those areas included the Hamptons and New York City and lodges 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 stated.

What Happens Next?

Mike’s lawyer, Brian Bieber, stated he plans to reply in courtroom to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed. Smith’s lawyer reportedly shared the identical message on Tuesday.

Mike Jeffries’ intercourse trafficking expenses comply with one other related high-profile case that’s additionally based mostly in New York. Last month, federal brokers arrested Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs at a lodge in NYC on intercourse trafficking and transportation to interact in prostitution expenses. Earlier this month, a decide set his trial begin for 2025. He stays behind bars in Brooklyn, New York City. Most not too long ago, his little kids penned a public message standing on their help for him.

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