Former Abercrombie, ANF, CEO Mike Jeffries arrested in Florida on sex trafficking charges filed by federal prosecutors in New York

Former Abercrombie, $ANF, CEO Mike Jeffries arrested in Florida on sex trafficking charges filed by federal prosecutors in New York.

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has been arrested on charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution, prosecutors announced on Tuesday. Jeffries was taken into custody in West Palm Beach, Florida, alongside two associates: Matthew Smith from West Palm Beach and James Jacobson from Wisconsin, who were also implicated in the sex trafficking charges.

Jeffries and Smith appeared in court in West Palm Beach on Tuesday afternoon. Later that day, Jeffries was released on a $10 million bond. U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart ordered him to remain under home detention with GPS monitoring, prohibiting him from traveling without approval, and required him to surrender his passport.

Smith remains in detention until the case is addressed in New York state, while Jacobson is scheduled to appear in federal court in Islip, New York, for arraignment alongside Jeffries on Friday.

The three men face one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution, connected to 15 alleged victims.

According to a federal indictment, from 2008 to 2015, Jeffries, Smith—his romantic partner—and Jacobson allegedly operated an international sex trafficking and prostitution ring. They reportedly organized “sex events” in locations such as England, France, Italy, Morocco, St. Barts, New York City, and the Hamptons for Jeffries, Smith, and others. The indictment claims they used coercive, fraudulent, and deceptive tactics to recruit men for commercial sex, often suggesting it could lead to modeling opportunities or boost their careers.

Prosecutors said the youngest of the alleged victims was 19 years old, many of whom were financially vulnerable and aspiring models in the fashion industry. Some had previously worked at Abercrombie stores or modeled for the brand. Victims were reportedly required to sign nondisclosure agreements and surrender their wallets and cellphones during the events.