Former Abercrombie chief executive Michael Jeffries charged with sex trafficking

NEW YORK — Mike Jeffries, the former longtime chief executive of Abercrombie and Fitch, has been criminally charged with sex trafficking and prostitution involving dozens of men.

The 16-count indictment was unveiled on Tuesday (Oct 22) by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn a decade after Jeffries left the retailer he built over 22 years into a popular clothing brand known for sexually charged marketing.

It followed a BBC investigation and proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Jeffries of baiting young men with the prospect of modelling jobs to lure them into travelling around the world so they could be sexually abused.

US Attorney Breon Peace, whose office won a conviction and 30-year prison term for the singer R Kelly for sex trafficking, said powerful people have for too long sexually abused young people who yearned for careers in fashion and entertainment.

"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," Peace said at a press conference.

The defendants include Jeffries, 80, his partner Matthew Smith, 61, and James Jacobson, 71, who allegedly recruited men for them.

Each was charged with one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution related to 15 unnamed victims between 2008 and 2015.

If convicted, they face possible life sentences and mandatory minimum 15-year prison terms for the sex trafficking charges. They face up to 20 years in prison for the interstate prostitution charges.

All three defendants were arrested on Tuesday. They are expected to appear in courts in Florida and Minnesota, and may appear in Brooklyn later this week or next.

Peace plans to seek bail of at least US$10 million (S$13 million) for Jeffries and US$500,000 for Jacobson, and home confinement for both.

He wants Smith, a dual US-British citizen, to be jailed pending trial because of the risk of flight.

Brian Bieber, a lawyer for Jeffries, said in an email that he would respond to the charges in court.

Lawyers for Smith did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jeremy Schneider, a lawyer for Jacobson, declined to comment.

Abercrombie declined to comment and was not accused of wrongdoing. Peace said there was no evidence the alleged crimes took place on company property.

'Tryouts' and 'poppers'

Prosecutors said Jeffries and Smith paid for dozens of men to meet them for sex at their homes in Manhattan and in the Hamptons in Long Island, New York, as well as at hotels in places such as England, France, Italy, Morocco and St Barts.

Relying on their deep pockets and Jeffries' power at Abercrombie, Jeffries and Smith were "dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires and ensuring that their international sex trafficking and prostitution business was kept secret, thereby maintaining Jeffries' powerful reputation," the indictment said.

Prosecutors said Jacobson typically conducted "tryouts," where male recruits as young as 19 would have sex with him before being referred to Jeffries and Smith.

They also said the scheme involved muscle relaxants known as "poppers" and props such as large sex toys and high-pressured enemas.

Men were required to sign non-disclosure agreements, and pay damages if they told anyone including family and friends what went on.

The proposed class action led by named plaintiff David Bradberry, who took part in the BBC probe, separately accused Abercrombie of paying off people who accused Jeffries of sexual abuse or harassment.

Abercrombie, Jeffries and Smith asked a federal judge on Oct 4 to dismiss that case.

The New Albany, Ohio-based company said it had been "shocked and appalled" by the allegations against Jeffries, and that it was implausible to believe it had anything to do with them.

Jeffries led Abercrombie from 1992 to 2014, making it a successful teen apparel maker known for cologne-filled stores and ads featuring semi-nude models.

He resigned amid criticism from investors and analysts that he failed to keep up with the changing tastes of teen shoppers.

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