FL - Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries arrested in sex trafficking case

[sds71]

• Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested in Florida and faces sex trafficking-related charges, a spokesman for federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York told CNBC.
• Two of Jeffries’ associates, Matthew Smith of West Palm Beach, Florida, and James Jacobson of Wisconsin, have also been charged in connection with the case.
• The criminal case comes a year after Abercrombie was sued for allegedly turning a blind eye to sexual misconduct by Jeffries.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/22/former-abercrombie-ceo-mike-jeffries-arrested-in-sex-trafficking-case.html

 

[arielilane]

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[bootsinmass]

I remember back in the 2010s when he became infamous for certain opinions - the one I specifically remember was that he essentially said the company's clothes weren't for anyone who didn't fit the sizes (quite small - this was before "vanity sizing* - I was very thin at the time and it was the first time I had to size up to a "double digit" size 10 - I am not anywhere near that size now!). I think this was around the time he stopped being CEO, circa 2014***. Body positivity was taking off, and people took major offense to the purposeful and almost malicious exclusion of plus sizes (noting again that their sizes often excluded midsize as well!).

They also had a store policy of hiring workers as "models" instead of cashiers or other retail workers, so that they could police appearance, and I knew of (not that it matters, but quite pretty and not at all overweight) girls who were rejected for not being the stereotype of a young beautiful WASP teen image that they pushed.

I didn't know until I looked him up that apparently last year there was a civil class action against him for trafficking young men, as many as 100 victims. Possibly what led to the arrest but that is just my guess.

It's horrific because I remember how core this image was to the youth of that era - and imagine the rush of being hired as a "model" at 15-17 years old. I wish I could say this was shocking but unfortunately bad people seem to do bad things - I just wish he had been held accountable sooner.
***ETA: this is what I get for reading an article other than the one linked - it referenced the statement he made in 2006- the plus size controversy did resolve in ~2013 and the statement likely resurfaced around then. Article also refers to the class action. Thank you arielilane for posting one of the better articles!

 

[Izzylizzy]

They'll appear in Islip, Suffolk County for their arraignments.
The plaintiff's' attorney is "Brad Edwards" who represented many of Jeffrey Epstein's victims.

he defendants are charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. They are expected to make appearances in the jurisdictions where the men were arrested in Florida and Wisconsin before they're brought to Central Islip in Long Island, New York, at a later date for arraignment.'

cont

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO charged with sex trafficking over a dozen victims: Prosecutors

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and two others were arrested Tuesday as part of a criminal investigation into the alleged sex trafficking of more than a dozen victims, according to the FBI and federal prosecutors. Jeffries, his partner Matt Smith and a third man, Jim Jacobson, are...

news.yahoo.com

 

[airportwoman]

What a horrible day to be literate. These men just wanted jobs, and they got this instead.

 

[sds71]

THE GRAND JURY CHARGES:

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25246150/af_1_-_indictment.pdf

 

[vls12345]

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/22/nx-s1-5160661/former-abercrombie-ceo-mike-jeffries-arrested-federal-sex-trafficking-case

To preserve secrecy, the memo states, the three men allegedly used "a full-service security company that oversaw non-disclosure agreements, conducted background checks and surveilled witnesses, among other things."

The memo adds that the secrecy agreements prevented victims and witnesses "from disclosing information about the Sex Events, but also from seeking assistance for themselves where needed." For those reasons, the state called Jeffries to be held on a $10 million bond and $500,000 for Jacobson.

The memo asked that Smith, who is a British national, be denied bond and detained due to his perceived heightened risk to flee.

 

[vls12345]

Former Abercrombie CEO Michael Jeffries released on $10 million bond in international sex trafficking case

Jeffries' partner and co-defendant Matthew Smith, will remain in custody until his New York arraignment

www.wpbf.com

Jeffries left court surrounded by his lawyers after the judge ruled he could go free on bond while fighting his sex trafficking charges.

Prosecutors agreed with his lawyers on a $10 million bond secured by a house he co-owns with his wife on Fisher's Island, New York.

Jeffries will be fitted with a GPS ankle monitor and restricted to his apartment in Palm Beach.

 

[vls12345]

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries is all smiles with an ankle monitor as he posts $10M bond following sex trafficking arrest

The 80-year-old is accused of wielding “power, wealth and his influence” to traffic male models for his sexual pleasure across more than a decade while he ran the fashion powerhouse.

nypost.com

 

[JoeFromLB]

I'm trying to find out what the sentence might be if he's convicted. I can't find anything in the media.
I hope he goes away for the rest of his life.

 

[vls12345]

Funny how quickly this arrest fell out of the headlines.... Imo.

Netflix 2022 Doc ‘White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch’ Helped Propel Arrest of Retailer’s Former CEO Mike Jeffries

Netflix's 2022 doc 'White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch' helped lead to the arrest of Abercrombie & Fitch’s former CEO Mike Jeffries.

variety.com

 

[vls12345]

What Is—and Isn’t—Sex Trafficking? Insights From The Combs And Jeffries Allegations

Common myths and misconceptions about what qualifies as sex trafficking continue to cloud the public's understanding of this crime.

www.forbes.com

 

[vls12345]

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/new-albany/netflix-bbc-documentaries-reveal-misconduct-claims-against-former-abercrombie-ceo-mike-jeffries/

 

[arielilane]

If convicted, they could be sentenced to life in prison.

A third man, James T. Jacobson, identified by authorities as the person hired to recruit for Jeffries and Smith, was taken into custody in Minnesota.

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, partner indicted on federal sex trafficking charges

The federal indictment accuses Michael Jeffries and Matthew C. Smith, Palm Beach condo owners, of luring men into sex parties and prostitution.

www.palmbeachpost.com

10/23/2024

 

[rangers61]

Seems like these men were targeting males only, but is there anyone who thinks this could be the case that emmarae gervasi was a witness in?

 

[vls12345]

Abercombie & Fitch must pay for ex-CEO’s criminal sex trafficking defence

Judge rules allegations against Mike Jeffries are tied to his former role at the fashion brand.

bbc.com

 

[sds71]

Ex-Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries ruled unfit for trial in sex trafficking case due to his dementia

The 80-year-old was arrested in October and charged with organizing sex parties where male models were reportedly coerced into sexual acts.

nypost.com

 

[vls12345]

If he truly has advanced dementia and Alzheimer's, I don’t think he will eventually be deemed fit to stand trial. That's unfortunate for his victims. Moo.