Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and their employee James Jacobsen have been arrested on charges of sexually abusing 15 young aspiring male models.
The three defendants face charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution as they allegedly paid aspiring male models to have sex with them and other men in New York and at hotels in England, France, Italy, Morocco and St Barts between 2008 and 2015.
The complainants said the accused provided drugs, lubricants, condoms, costumes, sex toys, and sometimes penile injections that resulted in painful, hours-long reactions.
“Sexually exploiting vulnerable human beings is a crime. And doing so by dangling dreams of a future in fashion or modeling … is no different,” said US attorney Breon Peace, as quoted by the Associated Press.
Peace added that the case should “serve as a warning … to anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using the so-called ‘casting couch’ system.”
Jeffries (pictured above in 2003) left the Florida courthouse on a $10 million bond, while Jacobson left the Minnesota courthouse on a $500,000 bond.
Smith, who holds both US and British citizenships, was detained as prosecutors raised concerns that he might flee the country.