Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested on federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges yesterday. Jeffries, who led the clothing retailer from 1992 to 2014, his romantic partner Matthew Smith, and his business associate James Jacobson each face one count of sex trafficking as well as 15 counts of interstate prostitution.
The arrest comes one year after a BBC investigation revealed that from 2008 to 2015, Jeffries allegedly used the company to create a sex trafficking operation by promising young men modeling jobs in exchange for attending parties where they were coerced into sexual acts. The indictment says the men were given alcohol, muscle relaxants, Viagra, and other items at the parties. An alleged victim filed a civil lawsuit shortly after the report against the retailer. Jeffries has not responded to the allegations.
If convicted, they could each face 15 years to life in prison for sex trafficking and up to 20 years for interstate prostitution.
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