Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been arrested on sex trafficking charges, according to two sources speaking to CNN. The charges are part of a broader case stemming from the Eastern District of New York. Two other associates of Jeffries were also arrested as part of the investigation, the sources confirmed.
The indictment, which contains over a dozen counts, alleges that between December 2008 and March 2015, Jeffries and his associates ran a sex trafficking scheme. They reportedly recruited young men aspiring to be models, according to a source. A second source added that Jeffries and his associates allegedly hosted sex-themed parties where these men were given drugs, alcohol, and Viagra to perform sexual acts.
All three suspects were arrested earlier today. Jeffries and one associate are expected to make their initial appearances in federal court this afternoon in the Southern District of Florida, while the third will appear in the Western District of Wisconsin. They will later be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York, according to the sources.
“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,” said Brian Bieber, Jeffries’ attorney.
Jeffries has faced scrutiny since 2023, when a BBC investigation accused him and his partner, Matthew Smith, of using a middleman to recruit and exploit young men. Following these allegations, dozens of men filed lawsuits against Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch, claiming the former CEO abused his position to exploit them. Abercrombie & Fitch expressed being "appalled" by the accusations and launched an independent inquiry into the matter.
Jeffries, who served as CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 until 2014, was known for transforming the company into a global fashion brand for teenagers and young adults, often through controversial marketing. He became infamous in 2006 for a Salon interview in which he said: “We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong (in our clothes), and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely.”
While Abercrombie thrived in the 1990s and early 2000s, the brand fell out of favour in the 2010s, particularly with Gen Z consumers. In 2013, the company faced backlash after a Change.org petition, which garnered nearly 80,000 signatures, called for more inclusive sizing. That same year, Abercrombie announced it would begin offering plus-sizes in some of its clothing lines.
Jeffries stepped down as CEO in 2014, amid growing criticism of his exclusionary vision for the company.
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