In a shocking development, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and recruiter James Jacobson face federal charges related to an alleged sex trafficking ring that reportedly exploited aspiring male models.
The indictment, unsealed Tuesday, accuses Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson of coercing men, often young and financially vulnerable, into sex acts under the guise of modeling opportunities with Abercrombie. The 16-count indictment, filed in the Eastern District of New York, alleges that these activities spanned from 2008 to 2015 and involved trafficking victims both within the U.S. and abroad.
Prosecutors allege that Jeffries and Smith targeted men who dreamed of breaking into the fashion industry, leading some to believe their participation in so-called “sex events” could yield future modeling work. Many of these young men, the indictment states, were recruited directly from Abercrombie stores or had previously worked as models for the brand. They were allegedly promised opportunities to advance their careers, but the “tryouts” often turned into coercive and abusive encounters.
The accused reportedly operated with a network of staff who coordinated these encounters, secured locations, and transported the young men to various destinations, including Jeffries’ home in the Hamptons and international locations like France, Morocco, and St. Barts.
According to the indictment, participants were required to sign nondisclosure agreements, and personal items like phones were often confiscated to maintain secrecy. In some cases, Jeffries and Smith allegedly forced participants to inject substances for sexual purposes, which caused severe physical pain and distress.
For Abercrombie & Fitch, the revelations come amid a period of transformation under CEO Fran Horowitz, who took over after Jeffries stepped down in 2014. Abercrombie has distanced itself from Jeffries, citing its new values-driven culture and independent investigations into his alleged conduct. The company, which has revamped its brand image and ditched its controversial “sex appeal” marketing, now stands in stark contrast to the Abercrombie that Jeffries led during its meteoric rise in the 1990s and 2000s.
This criminal case follows a 2023 civil lawsuit filed against Jeffries, Smith, and Abercrombie. David Bradberry, a plaintiff in that suit, claimed he was lured into Jeffries’ inner circle under the pretense of a modeling opportunity but was later coerced into sexual acts.
This civil case has since been amended to class-action status, representing other alleged victims. According to Bradberry, Jeffries and Smith conducted dozens of similar events globally, often under the Abercrombie banner, with little to no intervention from the company.
Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson face charges of sex trafficking and multiple counts of interstate prostitution, with sentences ranging from a mandatory minimum of 15 years up to potential life in prison. While Jeffries has been released on a $10 million bond with GPS monitoring, Smith is being held without bail due to a perceived flight risk.
Abercrombie has yet to comment on these latest charges, though it reiterated last year its commitment to transparency and zero tolerance for abuse under its current leadership.