Mike Jeffriesthe former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The once celebrated leader of the iconic fashion brand has been arrested on serious charges related to sex trafficking. Two employees, Matthew Smith and James Jacobson, were also taken into custody in connection with this alarming case, which is being prosecuted in the Eastern District of New York.

Abercrombie & Fitch, which Jeffries led from 1992 to 2014, was known for its provocative marketing strategies and cultivating an exclusive image. focuses primarily on young, attractive individuals. Jeffries became infamous in 2006 when he stated in a Salon interview: “We’re going after the attractive, all-American guy, with a great attitude and lots of friends. Many people do not belong (in our clothes), and cannot belong. Are we excluded? Absolute.”

This exclusionary ethos in particular provoked a lot of criticism when the brand struggled to stay relevant to Generation Z in the 2010s. The backlash peaked in 2013, when a petition calling for more inclusive sizing gathered nearly 80,000 signatures, eventually leading to the introduction of plus sizes in some rules. In 2014, as fans celebrated his departure, Jeffries left the company amid calls for a more inclusive vision.

A closer look at the case of sex trafficking

Now Jeffries is facing charges stemming from an indictment alleging he and his associates were involved engaged in a sex trafficking scheme between December 2008 and March 2015. Reports indicate that they recruited ambitious male models and enticed them with drugs, alcohol and even Viagra to participate in sex acts at lavish parties. “This is a shocking turn of events for someone who was once the face of youth fashion,” says a source close to the matter.

According to sources, the three men would have done that conducted an international operationsending young men to locations including the Hamptons and hotels across Europe, all with the aim of fulfilling their sexual desires.

Jacobson reportedly played a crucial role in recruiting and interviewing candidates, often needing them to engage in commercial sex acts before participating in these infamous ‘sex parties’. Disturbingly, some of the victims were as young as 19 years old, and many had ties to Abercrombie, either as a former employee or as a model hoping to further their careers.

As these allegations unfold, Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber stated, “We will respond to the allegations in detail after the indictment is unsealed, and as appropriate, but intend to do so in the courthouse – not in the mediaThis shocking case underlines how far the once-celebrated CEO has fallen from grace.