Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries arrested on sex trafficking charges

Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been taken into custody on charges related to sex trafficking, according to a representative for federal prosecutors.

Matthew Smith, who is a partner at Jeffries, along with another individual named James Jacobson, has also been taken into custody on the same allegations.

During a press conference held in New York, Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated that Jeffries exploited his "authority, financial resources, and influence to exploit individuals for his own sexual gratification and that of his partner, Matthew Smith."

Mr. Peace stated that the charges claimed Jeffries and Smith hired Jacobson to serve as a recruiter to identify potential candidates.

Jacobson would participate in "auditions" with men from various countries, often compensating them for engaging in sexual activities with him.

Check out additional coverage from Sky News: UK economic outlook improved by IMF. Pizza paired with a side of cocaine?

Smith would then choose individuals to meet with him and Jeffries. The chosen participants would be flown to either Jeffries' or Smith's residences, or to hotels worldwide, specifically to take part in events involving commercial sex.

Mr. Peace claimed that all three defendants engaged in force, deception, and intimidation to exploit those men for their own sexual pleasure.

Mr. Peace claimed during a press conference that the men were led to think that participating in these sexual events might open doors for modeling gigs with Abercrombie or somehow enhance their professional prospects.

Smith and Jeffries hired confidential assistants to manage these sexual gatherings. The team made certain that participants signed agreements to keep the events private and collected their personal belongings, including phones, before the gatherings began to ensure everything remained under wraps.

James Dennehy, the assistant director of the FBI's New York Field Office, stated that the charges emphasize the terrible actions of Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson.

He stated that the accusations are not only deeply troubling, shameful, and unacceptable, but to put it simply, they are criminal.

Stay updated with Sky News on WhatsApp.

Stay informed with the latest updates from the UK and beyond by tuning in to Sky News.

This follows multiple claims of sexual misconduct, including a lawsuit in New York from last year that alleged Abercrombie permitted Jeffries to operate a sex trafficking ring throughout his 22 years in charge.

Jeffries' lawyer, Brian Bieber, stated in an email to the Associated Press that he will provide a thorough response to the accusations once the indictment is made public and at the right time, but intends to do so in court rather than through the media.

Smith's lawyers did not respond right away to requests for a statement. Meanwhile, it was not possible to reach Jacobson's lawyer for a comment either.

Attorneys representing Jeffries and Smith have strongly refuted any allegations of misconduct.

Jeffries departed from Abercrombie & Fitch in 2014.

Last year, Abercrombie announced that it had engaged an external law firm to carry out an independent inquiry following a BBC report that discussed similar allegations.

Abercrombie & Fitch has chosen not to provide any details regarding Jeffries' arrest.