Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his romantic partner and an intermediary brutally abused more than a dozen young, aspiring male models as part of a twisted sex trafficking and prostitution ring, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Jeffries, 79, allegedly used his “power, wealth and influence” to traffic dozens of men for his own sexual pleasure for nearly a decade, according to the FBI.

The disgraced fashion executive and his partner, Matthew Smith, 60, are accused of using an alleged middleman, James Jacobson, 70, to recruit and lure their victims to sex parties around the world between 2008 and 2015, according to the court papers.

“For 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,” the attorney said. American attorney Breon Peace. the costs.

“The sexual exploitation of vulnerable people is a crime. And if you do that by dangling dreams about a future in the fashion and modeling world, that’s no different.

All three men have been charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.

This is a development story. Check back later for updates.