Mike Jeffries Arrested on Sex Trafficking Charges

Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been arrested along with his partner Matthew Smith and a third man, Jim Jacobson, on charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. The arrests stem from a federal investigation prompted by allegations detailed in a BBC documentary, which claimed Jeffries and Smith exploited young men at parties held across various locations from 2009 to 2015. Accusers reported being misled into attending these events under the guise of modeling opportunities, only to be coerced into sexual acts. The legal representatives for both Jeffries and Smith have denied any wrongdoing, asserting they will respond to the charges through the court process. Brad Edwards, an attorney for some alleged victims, described the arrests as a significant step towards justice for those exploited under what he called a sophisticated sex trafficking operation. The case is expected to be transferred to a federal court in New York, with implications for Abercrombie & Fitch's corporate practices during Jeffries' tenure.