In a shocking turn of events, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his longtime partner, Matthew Smith, have been arrested on charges related to sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. The arrests come after a years-long investigation into allegations of abuse and exploitation at lavish parties hosted by Jeffries and his associates, sparking outrage and raising questions about the dark underbelly of the fashion industry.
The arrests were made in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Jeffries, 80, and Smith, 61, were taken into custody. Jim Jacobson, a third individual involved in the case, was arrested in Wisconsin. The trio is accused of orchestrating a scheme that exploited young men under the guise of offering them modeling opportunities, only to subject them to sexual abuse.
Ex Abercrombie CEO arrested with sex trafficking pic.twitter.com/UyMmiMm0Nx
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) October 22, 2024
The investigation, spearheaded by the Eastern District of New York, was triggered by several men coming forward with claims of being abused by Jeffries and his partner over a span of years. These allegations followed a 2023 BBC documentary that exposed troubling accounts of sex trafficking dating back as far as 2009. The documentary shed light on the experiences of young men who were lured to Jeffries’ parties, believing they were being considered for Abercrombie modeling roles, only to face sexual exploitation.
Two of the accusers, Barrett Pall and David Bradberry, have come forward publicly, sharing their stories of manipulation and abuse. Both men stated that they were promised opportunities to break into the modeling industry but instead were coerced into attending these gatherings, where they were subjected to degrading and abusive situations. Jim Jacobson, according to the accusations, served as the middleman, recruiting victims and facilitating these twisted events.
Jacobson allegedly “auditioned” the men for Jeffries, asking them to perform sexual acts in humiliating circumstances. Despite the disturbing nature of these claims, Jacobson has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that all encounters were consensual and that no coercion took place.
The investigation has uncovered a pattern of exploitation that has reportedly been taking place for over a decade. The young men who were targeted were often aspiring models, hoping to gain a foothold in the highly competitive fashion industry. Jeffries, through his position at Abercrombie & Fitch, was allegedly able to use the company’s reputation and resources to lure these men into his web of abuse. Modeling scouts working for Abercrombie were reportedly involved in identifying potential victims, further entangling the brand in the scandal.
Emails, travel documents, and statements from former staff members at Jeffries’ household have been presented as evidence, corroborating the testimony of the victims. One victim recounted how Jacobson, described as having a distinctive “snakeskin patch nose,” would perform humiliating acts during the auditions, all in preparation for the sexual abuse that was to follow.
David Bradberry, one of the accusers, has also filed a lawsuit against Abercrombie & Fitch, accusing the retailer of complicity in the abusive behavior. According to the lawsuit, the company enabled Jeffries’ actions by allowing him to use Abercrombie’s resources, including its modeling scouts, to find young men for his personal gratification. The lawsuit argues that Abercrombie’s leadership failed to stop Jeffries, despite allegedly being aware of his misconduct.
In response to the arrests and the swirling accusations, Abercrombie & Fitch released a statement expressing their disgust at the allegations. The company emphasized that Jeffries left his position as CEO in 2014 and distanced itself from the scandal, stating that it was “appalled and disgusted” by the news. Abercrombie’s leadership made it clear that they condemn the alleged actions of their former CEO and pledged to cooperate with the investigation as necessary.
Jeffries, who played a significant role in transforming Abercrombie & Fitch into a fashion powerhouse during his tenure, has long been a controversial figure. While he is credited with shaping the brand’s image and boosting its popularity among teenagers and young adults, his leadership was also criticized for promoting a hyper-sexualized marketing strategy. The brand’s advertisements often featured scantily clad models and were accused of perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards.
Now, with these serious charges looming, the darker side of Jeffries’ reign at Abercrombie is being brought into the spotlight. The allegations paint a picture of a man who used his position of power and influence not only to shape the world of fashion but also to manipulate and exploit vulnerable young men for his personal gratification.
Attorneys representing the victims have hailed the arrests as a significant step toward justice. The charges against Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson mark a turning point in the case, bringing the alleged abusers one step closer to facing the consequences of their actions. Judicial experts anticipate that the trial will shed more light on the extent of the exploitation, possibly revealing further details of Jeffries’ misconduct during his time as CEO.
The charges against Jeffries and his associates are expected to lead to further legal battles, including the lawsuit filed by Bradberry against Abercrombie & Fitch. While the company has distanced itself from Jeffries, the lawsuit raises questions about whether the retailer could have done more to prevent the alleged abuses from taking place.
The arrest of Mike Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and their associate Jim Jacobson on charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution has sent shockwaves through the fashion industry. As the investigation continues, more details are likely to emerge about the full scope of the alleged exploitation, leaving the once-prominent CEO facing the grim possibility of a criminal conviction. The scandal has cast a long shadow over Abercrombie & Fitch, forcing the company to reckon with its past and its role in enabling Jeffries’ alleged crimes.
