Mike Jeffries is within the custody of West Palm Seaside, Florida, police. The previous Abercrombie & Fitch CEO is accused of partaking in intercourse trafficking and interstate prostitution, per NBC Information. 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 prices. All three males reportedly had their federal court docket appearances in Florida on Tuesday.
Finally, Mike Jeffries was indicted on 16 federal counts of intercourse trafficking and worldwide prostitution, per CNN. NBC studies that there was one depend for trafficking and 15 counts for the opposite cost associated to an alleged 15 victims. Matt and James have been additionally indicted on Tuesday, CNN studies.
Breon Peace, an legal professional for the Japanese District of NY, stated on Tuesday that Mike Jeffries and Matthew have been romantic companions who trafficked for self-pleasure.
“Whereas Jeffries was the CEO of probably the most recognizable clothes retailers on the planet, he was utilizing his energy, his wealth, and his affect to visitors males for his personal sexual pleasure and that of his romantic associate, Matthew Smith,” Breon Peace reportedly stated in a press convention.
Right here’s What Prosecutors Allege Mike Jeffries Did
The indictment reportedly alleges that Mike, Matthew, and James all ran an “worldwide intercourse trafficking and prostitution enterprise” between December 2008 and March 2015. James, particularly, was the “recruiter” of the group, per CNN. He would reportedly interview and rent the lads who carried out industrial intercourse acts for Mike and Matt. Moreover, he allegedly typically required the lads to “check out” by partaking in acts with him first.
The romantic companions allegedly hosted drug-fueled “intercourse occasions” throughout the time described. Victims have been allegedly given muscle relaxants reminiscent of poppers. Moreover, the occasions offered 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.
Moreover, the indictment alleges that the lads lured victims with the promise of modeling and profession alternatives at Abercrombie & Fitch and infrequently 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.
Additionally, the indictment claims that the couple paid for males to journey throughout the U.S. and different nations for sexual acts. These areas included the Hamptons and New York Metropolis and lodges in England, France, Italy, Morocco, and Saint Barthélémy.
“The message from right this moment’s prosecution is obvious: sexually exploiting susceptible human beings is against the law in doing so by dangling desires of a future in trend or modeling or or some other enterprise isn’t any totally different,” U.S. Lawyer Peace stated.
What Occurs Subsequent?
Mike’s lawyer, Brian Bieber, stated he plans to reply in court docket to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed. Smith’s lawyer reportedly shared the identical message on Tuesday.
Mike Jeffries’ intercourse trafficking prices comply with one other comparable high-profile case that’s additionally primarily based in New York. Final month, federal brokers arrested Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs at a resort in NYC on intercourse trafficking and transportation to interact in prostitution prices. Earlier this month, a choose set his trial begin for 2025. He stays behind bars in Brooklyn, New York Metropolis. Most lately, his little children penned a public message standing on their assist for him.
RELATED: Diddy’s Sons & Daughters Share Joint Assertion About Supporting Their Father (PHOTO)
What Do You Assume Roomies?
