On October 25, 2024, in Central Islip, New York, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was accused of trafficking male models for sex parties around the world. He will be released from federal court after being arraigned on the charges.
Adam Gray | AFP | Getty Images
former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his colleagues on Friday pleaded not guilty to federal criminal charges that they sexually exploited dozens of men, many of whom they sought to model for the company.
Jeffries, 80, and James Jacobson, 71, appeared in U.S. District Court on Long Island, New York, three days after their arrest on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges.
A graphic 16-count indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses Jeffries and his boyfriend, Matthew Smith, 61, of running an international sex trafficking enterprise for more than six years. , much of which overlapped with Jeffries’ tenure as CEO of Abercrombie.
Jacobson allegedly worked as a recruiter for “sex events” and required candidates to attend his “tryouts.”
According to the indictment, the defendants used “coercive, fraudulent, Allegedly used “deceptive” recruitment tactics.
If convicted, Jeffries and Jacobson face up to life in prison and a minimum of 15 years on the sex trafficking charge alone. He could also face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all 15 counts of interstate prostitution.
“Today’s hearing was procedural in nature and bail was set to ensure Michael’s appearance in court,” Jeffries’ attorney Brian Beaver told CNBC by phone after the arraignment. “And of course we entered a not guilty plea.”
Smith was also arrested Tuesday and faces similar charges. He and Jeffries were arrested in Florida, and Jacobson was arrested in Wisconsin, where he lives.
A federal judge released Jeffries on $10 million bail, plus conditions of home confinement and location monitoring, at his first court appearance in West Palm Beach Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Smith was ordered to be held in custody until his arraignment at a later date because, as a British national, he posed a greater flight risk.
Mr. Jacobson appeared in federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday afternoon and was released on $500,000 bail. He is also restricted to home confinement with electronic monitoring.
