Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, once hailed as the man behind the brand’s rise to global teen fashion dominance, is now at the center of a shocking scandal. Federal authorities have charged Jeffries, 80, along with his longtime partner Matthew Smith, 61, in a 16-count indictment accusing them of running a brutal international sex trafficking operation from 2008 to 2015. Both men were arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida, while a third accomplice, Jim Jacobson, was apprehended in Wisconsin.
According to prosecutors, Jeffries and his co-conspirators lured at least 15 male victims into a horrific scheme under the pretense of promising modeling opportunities and lucrative career boosts. Instead, these men were subjected to shocking sexual abuse, forced to engage in graphic acts, and provided with powerful erection-inducing drugs—regardless of their sexual orientation. Some victims were straight men coerced into homosexual acts, adding to the harrowing nature of the crimes.
The victims, identified in court documents as John Does, described how Jeffries and Smith hosted elaborate sex parties around the world, including in New York City, France, Italy, and Morocco. These gatherings were disguised as high-profile events where men were allegedly given muscle relaxants, Viagra, and hallucinogenic poppers. Federal documents reveal that these gatherings required participants to surrender their clothes, phones, and any sense of personal control, all while being subjected to physical and psychological abuse.
One victim recounted how the men were forced into humiliating situations, including having their genitals shaved and undergoing invasive procedures like “high-pressure enemas” administered by a hose. Another revealed the physical pain caused by injections of a prescription-grade erection drug, which left them incapacitated for hours.
Jacobson, the alleged middleman, reportedly conducted “tryouts” by paying victims for sex to assess their suitability for the parties. The indictment also claims that Jacobson went by various aliases, including “Jim Jake” and “Mrs. Cook,” and was instrumental in securing victims for Jeffries and Smith, promising them untold success in exchange for their silence and compliance.
Prosecutors have laid out an extensive case, supported by testimony from multiple victims, travel records, financial documents, and other forms of evidence. This includes documents that show Jeffries used a private entity known as the Jeffries Family Office to fund his illegal activities and control access to the sex parties. Investigators also found that when victims attempted to expose the truth, Jeffries and Smith allegedly hired a security team to monitor and intimidate them into silence.
The scandal has rocked the fashion world, particularly as Abercrombie & Fitch had already faced intense scrutiny over its brand image during Jeffries’ controversial reign. Known for its hyper-sexualized marketing and exclusive customer base, the company has long been a subject of criticism. However, these new allegations cast an even darker shadow over Jeffries’ legacy.
Barrett Pall, a former model, has already come forward, describing how he felt pressured into attending an event in the Hamptons in 2011 that quickly turned sinister. More witnesses are expected to testify as the investigation deepens, and prosecutors warn that even more victims may come forward.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace emphasized the gravity of the case in a press conference: “This case serves as a warning to anyone who thinks they can exploit vulnerable individuals using their power. Exploiting human beings for sex is a crime—one that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”
Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson are all due in court this week. If convicted, they could each face up to 10 years in prison. While Abercrombie & Fitch has distanced itself from Jeffries, stating that no company resources were used in the alleged crimes, the fashion world is reeling from the disturbing revelations surrounding one of its former icons.
Jeffries, who led Abercrombie from 1992 to 2014, is no stranger to controversy. His tenure was marked by exclusivity, elitism, and objectification—values that may now serve as part of the broader narrative in the wake of these serious charges.
