Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, along with his British partner Matthew Smith, has been arrested on sex trafficking charges, according to sources.
The arrests come as part of an ongoing investigation led by federal prosecutors and the FBI, following claims that Jeffries and Smith orchestrated sex trafficking operations over several years.
Jeffries, Smith, and an alleged middleman, James Jacobson, were arrested on Tuesday morning, with more details expected to be revealed by authorities during an upcoming press conference. Lawyers for both Jeffries and Smith have previously denied the accusations, stating that they will respond to the allegations in court.
The investigation into the former fashion executive began last year after a BBC report exposed claims that Jeffries and Smith had sexually exploited men at events they hosted. The BBC investigation detailed a sophisticated recruitment operation involving a middleman and recruiters who lured men to participate in these events, which took place at Jeffries’ residences in New York and luxury hotels worldwide.
Following the BBC’s reporting, a civil lawsuit was filed in New York, accusing Jeffries and Smith of sex trafficking, rape, and sexual assault. The lawsuit also implicated Abercrombie & Fitch, alleging that the company had unknowingly funded Jeffries’ sex trafficking operations during his two decades as CEO. Abercrombie & Fitch has denied any involvement and launched an independent investigation into the matter.
The arrests represent a significant step in a broader legal effort to bring justice to the victims. Brad Edwards, a civil lawyer representing some of the alleged victims, praised the work of investigative journalists and legal teams, stating that these developments mark progress toward accountability for those harmed by the alleged sex-trafficking scheme.
The men recruited for the events, which took place between 2009 and 2015, claimed they were misled or not fully informed about the nature of the gatherings. Some were promised potential modeling opportunities with Abercrombie & Fitch. All of the men were paid, but several said they were coerced into participating.
Jeffries stepped down from his role as Abercrombie & Fitch CEO in 2014, leaving the company after a controversial tenure marked by declining financial performance and backlash over the brand’s exclusionary marketing practices. He continues to fight civil allegations related to sex trafficking, and the company has been required by a court to cover his legal defense costs due to the alleged ties between the claims and his corporate role.
As the legal process unfolds, more information is expected to emerge about the nature of the alleged sex-trafficking operation and the potential involvement of other parties.
With input from BBC, New York Post, and the Guardian.
