According to the indictment, Jeffries, Smith and one of their associates, James Jacobson, ran an international sex trafficking and prostitution ring from 2008 to 2015. The illegal deal allegedly involved paying for secret sex with potentially dozens of men, including 15 unnamed victims in the complaint. Jeffries and Smith used their enormous wealth and power to keep the activities secret, authorities said. Jeffries was CEO of the expensive clothing brand from 1992 to 2014, when it was at its peak among teenagers and students, and his activities were kept secret to protect his reputation as an influential executive.

Jacobson, who also goes by the pseudonyms “Jim Jake,” “Mrs. Cook” and “Todd” acted as recruiters to identify potential victims, according to the complaint. He allegedly engaged in “trials” with people around the world, paying them to perform sexual acts. After the alleged auditions, Jacobson would decide whether men would be selected to fly to many locations around the world, including the Hamptons, England, France and Italy. The purpose of the lavish trips was for Jeffries and Smith to engage in commercial sex with them, the complaint says. Jacobson was also arrested, authorities said.

According to the indictment, Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson not only hired men for sexual purposes, but also used force, fraud and coercion to abuse their victims for their own sexual gratification. Fifteen victims are named anonymously in the indictment, but “there may be other victims,” ​​James Dennehy, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, said during the news conference.

Those selected by Jacobson did not know the details of the sex events in advance, which “led the men to believe that participating in these sex events could open them up to modeling opportunities at Abercrombie or otherwise benefit their careers.” said Peace. Secret personnel allegedly led the events, signed non-disclosure agreements with the recruits and handed over all of their personal belongings – including their phones – before the events began.

During the alleged crimes, the defendants were pressured to consume alcohol, Viagra and muscle relaxants and were not permitted to leave the property without Jeffries and Smith’s permission. The indictment also alleges that the duo directed staff to inject the victims – or inject themselves – with an undisclosed erection-inducing substance.

“For too long, powerful individuals have trafficked and abused young people for their own sexual pleasure, with little means and a dream – the dream of securing a successful career in fashion or entertainment,” Peace said during the press conference on Tuesday. “To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using the so-called casting couch system, this case should serve as a warning: Prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison.”

Brian Bieber, an attorney for Jeffries, did not respond AssetsPlease comment on the indictment and allegations.

Mike Jeffries has long been a “PR nightmare” for the brand

Jeffries famously said that Abercrombie & Fitch was only for “cool” people. For more than a decade, the company’s glossy advertising focused on athletic young men, often naked from the waist up. While the company performed well in the first half of his tenure, Jeffries was criticized for what he did with Abercrombie.

“We hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people and we want to market to cool, good-looking people,” Jeffries said salon in 2013, shortly before he resigned in 2014 after sales fell short of analysts’ forecasts and posted 11 straight quarters of declining same-store sales. Jeffries is technically still married to Susan Marie Isabel Hansen, but they have been living apart for years.

Abercrombie declined to comment on Jeffries’ arrest, except at the time of the arrest in October 2023 BBC investigation, a spokesperson for the clothing brand said in a statement Assets The company is “horrified and outraged” by the alleged behavior.

“This arrest is a major step toward justice for the many young men who were exploited and abused by Jeffries and Smith, who used Abercrombie to run one of the most organized sex trafficking operations in United States history,” Brittany said Henderson said law firm Edwards Henderson Assets in a statement. Henderson represents the plaintiffs in this case.

“This case is another example of individuals using their wealth, power or reputation to manipulate and control others for their own interests,” Dennehy said during the press conference.