Mike Jeffries, Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, Charged with Running Sex Trafficking Ring

Washington: Mike Jeffries, the former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch has been criminally charged with sex trafficking and prostitution involving several men on Tuesday, October 22, Reuter reported.

The 16-count indictment was unveiled by the federal prosecutors after Jeffries left the company he built for over 22 years and established it into a popular clothing brand known for sexually charged marketing. This indictment was announced following a BBC investigation which proposed a class action lawsuit accusing Jeffries of baiting young men with modelling opportunities and luring them to travel the world sot that they could be sexually abused.

US Attorney Breon Peace, whose office won a conviction and 30-year prison term for the singer R Kelly for sex trafficking, said, "To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using the so-called casting couch system, this case should serve as a warning: Prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison."

Furthermore, the defendants included Jeffries, 80, his partner Matthew Smith, 61, and James Jacobson, 71, who allegedly recruited men for them.

Each of the men was charged with one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution related to 15 unnamed victims between 2008 and 2015.

If convicted, they will face possible life sentences and a mandatory minimum 15-year prison term for the sex trafficking charges. Additionally, they can also face up to 20 years in prison for interstate prostitution charges.

(With Inputs form Reuters)