NYC Gazette

A 16-count indictment was revealed in federal court in Central Islip, charging Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., along with Matthew Smith and James Jacobson, with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. The indictment alleges that from December 2008 to March 2015, the three men used force, fraud, and coercion to traffic men while operating a prostitution enterprise. All three were arrested today.

Jeffries and Smith are scheduled for initial appearances this afternoon in federal court in the Southern District of Florida, while Jacobson will appear in St. Paul, Minnesota. They will be arraigned later in the Eastern District of New York.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the arrests alongside James E. Dennehy from the FBI's New York Field Office and Thomas G. Donlon from the NYPD.

“As alleged in the indictment, former CEO of Abercrombie Michael Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and their recruiter James Jacobson used their money and influence to prey on vulnerable men for their own sexual gratification,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s arrests show that my Office and our law enforcement partners will not rest until anyone who engages in sex trafficking or interstate prostitution, regardless of their wealth or power, is brought to justice.”

FBI Assistant Director Dennehy emphasized the seriousness of the allegations: “Today’s indictment highlights the alleged abhorrent behavior of Michael Jeffries, Matthew Smith, and James Jacobson... The FBI and our partners won’t allow these criminal acts to go unchecked."

NYPD Interim Commissioner Donlon noted: “Sex trafficking remains a pressing issue nationwide and New York City is no exception... Importantly, our close collaboration also allows us to connect survivors of this abhorrent crime with the necessary support and services they deserve.”

The indictment details that Jeffries was CEO of Abercrombie from 1992 to 2014. Smith was his life partner. Jacobson allegedly recruited men for commercial sex acts involving Jeffries and Smith.

The alleged scheme involved paying for men to travel within the U.S. and internationally for "Sex Events" with promises related to modeling opportunities at Abercrombie or career benefits.

If convicted on sex trafficking charges, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. Interstate prostitution charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Victims are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI if they believe they have been affected by crimes perpetrated by Jeffries, Smith or Jacobson.

The case is managed by Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Farrell, Erin Reid, Philip Pilmar with support from Bilingual Victim Witness Specialist Stephanie Marroquin and Fact Witness Services Unit Supervisor/Victim Witness Coordinator Huda Abouchaer.

Michael Jeffries is aged 80 from West Palm Beach; Matthew Smith is aged 61 also from West Palm Beach; James Jacobson is aged 71 from Rice Lake.