Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, Mike Jeffries, along with his associates Matthew Smith and James Jacobson, were arrested for sex trafficking allegations. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, revealed that the three men were accused of running an international sex-trafficking operation, exploiting and abusing men under the guise of job opportunities within the fashion company.
Peace stated that the defendants used force, fraud, and coercion to traffic men for their own sexual gratification. While 15 victims have been identified so far, Peace believes there may be many more who have yet to come forward. The victims, some as young as 19 years old, were financially vulnerable and aspiring models who were lured with promises of jobs in the industry.
The victims were allegedly taken to private locations, where they were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements, had their belongings taken away, and were given substances like muscle relaxers, alcohol, and Viagra. Those who resisted were reportedly injected with erection-inducing substances to compel them to engage in sexual acts.
Evidence against the defendants includes travel and financial records, as well as testimonies from victims and witnesses. An attorney for Jeffries has not responded to requests for comment. The former CEO, who retired in 2014, is also facing a class-action lawsuit that accuses him of sex trafficking from 1992 to 2014, implicating Abercrombie & Fitch for turning a blind eye to his misconduct.
The arrests have been seen as a significant step towards justice for the victims, with attorney Brittany Henderson emphasizing the importance of holding all responsible parties accountable. If convicted, Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson could face life imprisonment or a minimum of 15 years for sex trafficking charges, and up to 20 years for interstate prostitution charges.
The case has shed light on the dark side of the fashion industry and the exploitation that can occur behind the scenes. It serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from predators who abuse their power for personal gain. The victims, who had dreams of becoming models, were instead subjected to horrific treatment in the pursuit of their aspirations.
