In a shocking turn of events, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his romantic partner, Matthew Smith, were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a sprawling sex trafficking ring. Alongside their associate, James Jacobson, the trio is accused of orchestrating an international network that lured young men into sex parties under the false promise of modeling gigs, according to an indictment unsealed in a Brooklyn federal court.
The charges detail a disturbing scheme in which Jeffries and his associates exploited dozens of men between 2008 and 2015. The men were allegedly enticed with the allure of career opportunities, including the chance to model for Abercrombie & Fitch, only to be coerced into sexual acts. Some victims were reportedly drugged and subjected to “tryouts,” as the indictment describes, while others were manipulated into participating with threats that their refusal could derail their careers.
“This is not just a scandal about sex, but about power and deception,” a source familiar with the investigation said. “These men were led to believe that complying was their only option.”
The indictment paints a harrowing picture of luxury gone awry, detailing sex parties at extravagant locations in New York, London, Paris, and other cities across the globe. The men involved were allegedly provided with condoms, costumes, sex toys, and in some cases, injections designed to prolong sexual encounters—often resulting in painful, hours-long side effects.
As the news broke, Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, issued a statement saying, “We will respond to these allegations in court, not in the media.” However, the indictment itself, coupled with previous allegations, has already sent shockwaves through the fashion industry.
Abercrombie & Fitch, which Jeffries led from 1992 until his controversial departure in 2014, has distanced itself from the scandal. The company declined to comment on his arrest but acknowledged launching an independent investigation following a 2023 BBC report that exposed similar allegations against Jeffries. The BBC investigation featured testimonies from over a dozen men who claimed they were exploited at events hosted by Jeffries and Smith, some recounting nights they said left them humiliated and powerless.
“He held all the cards,” one survivor shared, noting that many felt they had no choice but to comply with the increasingly bizarre demands, believing it was their only shot at fame.
While the legal process is just beginning, the indictment brings new scrutiny to Abercrombie’s history under Jeffries’ leadership. Lawsuits filed in recent years claim that the company turned a blind eye to Jeffries’ predatory behavior, allowing him to use Abercrombie’s modeling network as a front for his sex trafficking operation.
For now, Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson face charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. As they await their court appearances, survivors of the alleged abuse are speaking out, sharing stories that underscore the dark side of the glamorous fashion world Jeffries once ruled.
“I never thought I would make it out alive,” one victim said, his voice cracking with emotion. “They promised me fame, but all I got was a nightmare I can never forget.”
