Ex-Abercrombie CEO Allegedly Ran 'International Sex Trafficking Enterprise' Targeting 'Vulnerable' Men: Indictment

Mar. 15, 2025

Mike Jeffries.Photo:Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEOMike Jeffries, who was arrested on federal charges related to sex trafficking Tuesday, Oct. 22, operated along with two other men an international sex trafficking and prostitution empire, federal prosecutors allege.

The indictment alleges that Jeffries’ employee James Jacobson, 71, also known as “Jim Jake” and “Mrs. Cook,” recruited and interviewed the men for the sex parties.

Jeffries, Jacobson and Smith were each charged with one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution.

According to prosecutors, the three men allegedly “employed coercive, fraudulent and deceptive tactics” to traffic men while operating the “international sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise” between 2008 and 2015, per the indictment.

Mike Jeffries.BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty

BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty

The alleged victims, the indictment claims, were required to hand over their clothing, wallets and cell phones during the “sex events.” They were also allegedly made to sign non-disclosure agreements and “pressured” to drink alcohol, take Viagra and muscle relaxants, according to claims made in the indictment.

“Many of the victims, at least one of whom was as young as 19 years old, were financially vulnerable and aspired to be models in the fashion industry,” according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.

Jeffries was at the center of a scathing documentary,The Abercrombie Guys: The Dark Side of Cool,which covered the many lawsuits alleging discriminatory hiring practices filed against the company under Jeffries' leadership.

A 2023BBC investigationalleged that Jeffries and Smith were part of a “highly [organized] network” that involved a middleman who found young men to participate in sex events.

The BBC reported that eight men who said they attended the alleged sex events claimed they were exploited or abused.

Mike Jeffries.David Pomponio/FilmMagic

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Last year, a group of models filed a class action lawsuit against Jeffries and Abercrombie, according toReuters.

Jeffries and Smith were arrested in Florida and are scheduled to appear in a federal court in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 22, John Marzulli, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York, tells PEOPLE. Jacobson has a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday, in federal court in St. Paul, Minn., according to Marzulli.

Brian Bieber, a lawyer for Jeffries, said in a statement to PEOPLE, “We will respond in detail to the allegations after the Indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse — not the media.”

Attorneys for Jacobson and Smith could not immediately be reached for comment.

Brittany Henderson, an attorney representing plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against Jeffries and Abercrombie, said in a statement to PEOPLE: “News of the monumental arrests of Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson has brought great validation to many of our clients. In addition to supporting the criminal prosecution, our clients look forward to holding Abercrombie and Fitch liable for facilitating this terrible conduct and ensuring that this cannot happen to other young aspiring models.”

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com