By T.L. Reigns

The Scoop Digital Newspaper: June 2025

New York: A federal indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of New York charges former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and recruiter James Jacobson in a wide-ranging sex trafficking and prostitution scheme that spanned years and continents.

According to the indictment, Jeffries and Smith orchestrated “Sex Events” in high-end locations across the United States and internationally, including the Hamptons, New York City, and luxury hotels in England, France, Italy, Morocco, and Saint Barthélémy. These events allegedly involved commercial sex acts with young men, many of whom were recruited under false pretenses and subjected to coercion and manipulation.

Jacobson, 71, is accused of traveling extensively to recruit and conduct “interviews” with potential candidates. Prosecutors allege that these tryouts often included Jacobson engaging in sex acts with the men himself before determining their “suitability” for the events.

The indictment details a disturbing pattern of coercive and deceptive tactics used by Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson to lure vulnerable men, some as young as 19 into participating in these events. Many of the alleged victims were financially struggling and sought opportunities in the modeling industry. Several had ties to Abercrombie & Fitch, either having worked at the brand’s stores or modeled for its campaigns.

Among the allegations, prosecutors claim the defendants:

Used a referral and interview system that misled men about the nature and extent of the sexual activities expected at the events.

Promised modeling and career opportunities, falsely linking the events to potential work with Abercrombie or within the fashion industry.

Suggested that failure to comply with sexual demands could harm the victims’ careers.

Confiscated personal belongings, including phones, clothing, and wallets, storing them in inaccessible areas during the events.

Required participants to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Violated bodily integrity, including engaging in or continuing invasive and violent sexual acts without consent.

Injected men with erection-inducing substances, sometimes forcibly, when victims were unwilling or unable to perform.

“These men were not only deceived but degraded,” said one law enforcement official close to the case. “This was not about consensual adult relationships, it was exploitation dressed in designer suits.”

If convicted on the federal sex trafficking charges, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison. The interstate prostitution charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Jeffries, 80, and Smith, 61, both of West Palm Beach, FL, and Jacobson, 71, of Rice Lake, WI, have all pleaded not guilty. They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim in this case is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The case is being prosecuted by the Civil Rights Section and the Criminal Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Farrell, Erin Reid, and Philip Pilmar are leading the prosecution, with support from bilingual victim specialist Stephanie Marroquin and witness coordinator Huda Abouchaer.

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The Scoop Digital Newspaper
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