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 accused of operating an international sex trafficking and prostitution business that recruited young men for parties in the U.S. and abroad, according to a 16-count indictment.

The former retail executive and Smith relied on their vast financial resources, Jeffries' power as the CEO of Abercrombie, and numerous people, including Jacobson and a network of employees, contractors and security professionals, to run a business "that was dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires and ensuring that their international sex trafficking and prostitution business was kept secret," the indictment alleges.

Federal prosecutors said the trio allegedly paid dozens of men to travel around the world to engage in sex acts over at least a seven-year period, starting in late 2008. The indictment mentions 15 alleged victims, identified as John Does #1-#15. Jeffries allegedly recruited, hired and paid a slate of household staff to "facilitate and supervise the Sex Events."

Prosecutors and the FBI believe there are many more victims and asked them to come forward.

Jacobson allegedly traveled throughout the United States and internationally to recruit and interview men for the so-called sex events, according to prosecutors. During "tryouts" of potential candidates, Jacobson required that the candidates first engage in sex acts with him, prosecutors said.

The indictment alleges that many of the men were coerced, led to believe that attending the events would yield modeling opportunities with Abercrombie or otherwise benefit their careers, or, in the alternative, that not complying with requests for certain acts during the sex events could harm their careers.

The defendants are charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. Jeffries was released on a $10 million bond following a brief initial appearance Tuesday afternoon before a federal magistrate in Florida, where he was arrested.

"Today marks a big step forward on behalf of David Bradberry and the other survivors in this action," said Dean Kaire, an attorney with Edwards Henderson who is representing several of the alleged victims, following the court appearance, according to WPBF.

David Bradberry, a former crewman on the reality series "Below Deck," has said Jeffries made Abercrombie successful by the "oversexualization of young men."

His lawsuit accused Jeffries, Smith, Jacobson and Abercrombie itself of luring attractive young men under the guise of making them an Abercrombie model and then forcing them to take drugs and perform sex acts.

"The arrest this morning serves as a validation of their bravery in coming forward and sharing their stories and experiences," Kaire said, "and our law firm looks forward to continue representing all survivors of abuse and ensuring that all parties are held responsible."

Smith, a U.K. citizen, waived pretrial intervention and will be sent to New York from Florida and held pending arraignment. Jacobson was arrested in Minnesota and was released on a $500,000 bond after an arraignment in federal court in St. Paul.

Jeffries and Jacobson will be arraigned Friday at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Long Island.

"We will respond in detail to the allegations after the Indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse – not the media," Brian Bieber, an attorney for Jeffries, and Joe Nascimento, an attorney for Smith, told ABC News in identical statements.

An attorney for Jacobson declined ABC News' request for comment.

Federal prosecutors had confirmed the investigation in January after alleged victims filed a civil lawsuit a year ago.

Jeffries, who was the chairman and CEO of the powerhouse teen fashion brand from 1992 to 2014, has been accused in civil lawsuits of exploiting young men for sex at parties he hosted at his Hamptons estate in New York, London, Venice and elsewhere with his partner, Smith.

Brad Edwards of Edwards Henderson, which is representing several of the plaintiffs, told ABC News in a statement: "As we laid out in our lawsuit, this was an Abercrombie-run sex trafficking organization that permeated throughout the company and allowed the three individuals arrested today to victimize dozens and dozens of young, aspiring male models."

In a statement Wednesday, a spokesperson for Abercrombie & Fitch said, "As we shared when the accusations were first made public in October 2023, we are appalled and disgusted by the alleged behavior of Mr. Jeffries, whose employment with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ended nearly ten years ago."

The company added, "Speaking up and coming forward is not easy, and our thoughts remain with those who have bravely raised their voices as part of the federal investigation."

The fashion brand said it is committed to "fully cooperating" with law enforcement as the legal process continues.

ABC News' Laryssa Demkiw contributed to this report.