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Mike Jeffries is within the custody of West Palm Seashore, Florida, police. The previous Abercrombie & Fitch CEO is accused of partaking in intercourse trafficking and interstate prostitution, per NBC News. He labored for the favored retailer between 1992 and 2014.
Cops didn’t solely bag Mike on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Associates of his, Matthew Smith and James Jacobson are additionally in police custody in connection to the trafficking expenses. All three males reportedly had their federal courtroom appearances in Florida on Tuesday.
Finally, Mike Jeffries was indicted on 16 federal counts of intercourse trafficking and worldwide prostitution, per CNN. NBC stories that there was one depend for trafficking and 15 counts for the opposite cost associated to an alleged 15 victims. Matt and James have been additionally indicted on Tuesday, CNN stories.
Breon Peace, an legal professional for the Jap District of NY, mentioned on Tuesday that Mike Jeffries and Matthew have been romantic companions who trafficked for self-pleasure.
“Whereas Jeffries was the CEO of one of the vital recognizable clothes retailers on this planet, he was utilizing his energy, his wealth, and his affect to visitors males for his personal sexual pleasure and that of his romantic associate, Matthew Smith,” Breon Peace reportedly mentioned in a press convention.
Right here’s What Prosecutors Allege Mike Jeffries Did
The indictment reportedly alleges that Mike, Matthew, and James all ran an “worldwide intercourse trafficking and prostitution enterprise” between December 2008 and March 2015. James, particularly, was the “recruiter” of the group, per CNN. He would reportedly interview and rent the lads who carried out industrial intercourse acts for Mike and Matt. Moreover, he allegedly generally required the lads to “check out” by partaking in acts with him first.
The romantic companions allegedly hosted drug-fueled “intercourse occasions” in the course of the time described. Victims have been allegedly given muscle relaxants corresponding to poppers. Moreover, the occasions offered alcohol, lubricant, Viagra, condoms, intercourse toys, and different objects for the acts. Mike and Matt additionally reportedly employed separate family workers to oversee the intercourse occasions and required signed non-disclosure agreements.
Moreover, the indictment alleges that the lads lured victims with the promise of modeling and profession alternatives at Abercrombie & Fitch and sometimes focused heterosexual males. Not solely that, Mike Jeffries and Matthew allegedly tapped right into a community of workers, contractors, and safety professionals from the retail firm to run the trafficking ring.
Additionally, the indictment claims that the couple paid for males to journey inside the U.S. and different international locations for sexual acts. These areas included the Hamptons and New York Metropolis and accommodations in England, France, Italy, Morocco, and Saint Barthélémy.
“The message from in the present day’s prosecution is evident: sexually exploiting weak human beings is a criminal offense in doing so by dangling goals of a future in vogue or modeling or or another enterprise is not any totally different,” U.S. Legal professional Peace mentioned.
What Occurs Subsequent?
Mike’s lawyer, Brian Bieber, mentioned he plans to reply in courtroom to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed. Smith’s lawyer reportedly shared the identical message on Tuesday.
Mike Jeffries’ intercourse trafficking expenses comply with one other comparable high-profile case that’s additionally based mostly in New York. Final month, federal brokers arrested Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs at a lodge in NYC on intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution expenses. Earlier this month, a choose set his trial start for 2025. He stays behind bars in Brooklyn, New York Metropolis. Most just lately, his little kids penned a public message standing on their assist for him.
RELATED: Diddy’s Sons & Daughters Share Joint Statement About Supporting Their Father (PHOTO)
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