Sex trafficking has become a major problem across the country.
Now, some of the rich and powerful elites are being held accountable for their involvement.
But this famous Florida man grinned fiendishly while wearing his ankle monitor after posting $10 million bail in a sex trafficking case.
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and a third man named James ‘Mrs. Cook’ Jacobson have been charged with sex trafficking.
Using his power to allegedly sexually abuse aspiring models
Jeffries left a Florida court after posting $10 million bail with both a security detail and an ankle monitor.
The fashion mogul is accused by authorities of using his powerful position to lure in and sexually abuse aspiring male models.
Prosecutors claim these wanna-be models feared their careers would be destroyed if they refused Jeffries’ alleged perversions.
Jeffries, 80, and his partner Matt Smith, 61, were arrested at their home in West Palm Beach.
For the first time since their arrests, the fashion company also commented publicly on the matter last week.
“As we shared when the accusations were first made public in October 2023, we are appalled and disgusted by the alleged behavior of Mr. Jeffries, whose employment with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ended nearly ten years ago,” the company stated in an Instagram post.
“Speaking up and coming forward is not easy, and our thoughts remain with those who have bravely raised their voices as part of the federal investigation.”
“For close to a decade, we have successfully transformed our brands and culture into the values-driven organization we are today. We have zero tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination of any kind, and are committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement as the legal process continues.”
At least 15 victims of Jeffries’ “casting couch”
A third defendant, James “Mrs. Cook” Jacobson, 71, was taken into custody in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Jeffries appeared walking with a security team to and from the courthouse.
He picked up an ankle monitor after posting the huge $10 million bail.
Meanwhile, Smith was being held without bail, according to authorities.
And Jacobson was released on $500,000 bail.
Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, told reporters at a news briefing that prosecutors had already identified at least 15 victims between 2008 and 2015, the youngest of whom was 19.
He also alleged that the suspects used a “casting couch” system to lure in and abuse their victims.
Peace said he believed there may be dozens more victims of the sex trafficking ring.
The victims were allegedly subjected to multiple humiliating and degrading sex acts and given drugs to force them into a state of arousal when they were “incapable” or “unwilling.”
Jeffries led Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 until 2014.
The elitist chain was a preppy clothing leader known for its overtly sexual advertising, which sometimes included models wearing no clothes at all.
“Despite the alleged efforts of Jeffrey, Smith and Jacobson to conceal their crimes, efforts that included threatening victims and requiring them to sign nondisclosure agreements, among other things, their plan failed,” said James Dennehy, the FBI’s assistant director in charge of the New York Field Office.
“This case is yet another example of individuals using their wealth, power, or reputation to manipulate and control others for their own personal interests.”
Now we will find out if the DOJ is serious about holding them accountable for their alleged crimes.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this story.
