The fashion world was rocked this week with the arrest of former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, accused of a shocking scheme of sex trafficking and prostitution. Jeffries, who built the brand into a teen apparel powerhouse, was arrested alongside his partner Matthew Smith and James Jacobson, alleged to have procured young men for the couple.
The charges, which carry potential life sentences, stem from a BBC investigation and a proposed class-action lawsuit that uncovered a disturbing network of abuse. Jeffries, 80, Smith, 61, and Jacobson, 71, are accused of exploiting young men, some as young as 19, with promises of modeling opportunities. These promises were a facade, used to lure victims into a world of forced sexual encounters.
According to the indictment, Jeffries and Smith held parties in their New York residences and luxury hotels around the world, where they subjected these young men to a horrifying routine. The victims were physically groomed, deprived of their personal belongings, and forced to participate in sexual acts. Prosecutors allege that Jeffries and Smith even employed staff to act as security for these events and ordered the men to wear costumes and use sex toys.
The alleged victims, who were heterosexual men, were subjected to extreme measures to ensure their compliance. They were not allowed to keep personal items like wallets and cell phones. In some cases, they were even injected with “poppers” – muscle relaxants used to induce a heightened sexual experience. This pattern of coercion and control was further emphasized by the fact that the men were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements, silencing their voices and preventing them from seeking justice.
The BBC investigation, which sparked the criminal probe, revealed that Jeffries and Smith spent millions on a complex infrastructure to support their alleged operations. The indictment names 15 victims, but prosecutors believe the number is far higher, encompassing “dozens and dozens of men.”
One alleged victim told the BBC that Jacobson “made it clear to me that unless I let him perform oral sex on me, that I would not be meeting with Abercrombie & Fitch or Mike Jeffries.” The psychological impact on these men is significant, with many describing the experience as “mentally messing them up” and “stealing any ounce of innocence that I had left.”
The case shines a harsh light on the dark side of the fashion industry and the power dynamics at play. It serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of power are not immune to justice. The prosecution of Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson is a critical step in holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that victims have a voice.