Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his romantic partner and a middle man preyed on and horrifically abused more than a dozen young aspiring male models as part of twisted sex-trafficking and prostitution ring, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
Jeffries, 79, allegedly wielded his “power, wealth and his influence” to traffic scores of men for his own sexual pleasure for nearly a decade, according to the feds.
The disgraced fashion boss and his partner, Matthew Smith, 60, are accused of using an alleged middle man, James Jacobson, 70, to recruit and lure their victims to sex parties across the world between 2008 to 2015, court papers charge.
“To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using the so-called casting couch system, this case should serve as a warning – prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison,” U.S. attorney Breon Peace said as he announced the charges.
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“Sexually exploiting vulnerable human beings is a crime. And doing so by dangling dreams of a future in fashion and modeling is no different.
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All three men have been charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.