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The fashion world has been rocked by the arrest of former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his longtime partner, Matthew Smith, on serious charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. The pair, along with a third individual, Jim Jacobson, were taken into custody following a lengthy investigation that has exposed years of alleged exploitation and abuse involving young men.

Jeffries, 80, and Smith, 61, were arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida, while Jacobson, believed to be a key figure in the scandal, was apprehended in Wisconsin. The trio stands accused of luring young men into compromising situations at lavish parties, promising modeling opportunities in exchange for sexual favors. Prosecutors have painted a disturbing picture of abuse and manipulation that spanned not only the United States but extended internationally as well.

The investigation into Jeffries and Smith was initiated by the Eastern District of New York after several men came forward with claims of sexual abuse. These accusations followed a 2023 BBC documentary that shed light on alleged sex trafficking dating back to 2009. Despite denials from Jeffries and his associates, the case has continued to unravel, revealing an unsettling network of exploitation tied to the former fashion mogul’s inner circle.

According to court documents, Jeffries and Smith used their positions of power and wealth to exploit vulnerable young men, many of whom were seeking opportunities in the modeling industry. Jim Jacobson, 68, allegedly played a central role in recruiting the victims, facilitating sex parties that involved degrading and abusive acts orchestrated by Jeffries.

Two of the victims, Barrett Pall and David Bradberry, have publicly spoken out about their experiences. Both men described being enticed with the promise of modeling work but were soon pulled into a world of sexual exploitation. Pall and Bradberry, along with others, claim that Jacobson was the middleman who lured them to these parties under false pretenses, only for them to be subjected to coercion and abuse.

The recruitment process reportedly involved Jacobson auditioning young men for Jeffries. According to testimony, Jacobson would degrade the men by asking them to perform sexual acts, purportedly as part of their “audition.” The victims were led to believe that participating in these events was necessary to further their modeling careers, and that it could even secure them a coveted position with Abercrombie & Fitch.

The BBC documentary that aired in 2023 played a significant role in bringing these allegations to the forefront. The documentary included testimonies from victims and former staff of Jeffries, along with corroborating evidence such as emails, travel documents, and accounts from individuals who worked in Jeffries’ household. This evidence, combined with the courage of the men who have come forward, has formed the backbone of the case against Jeffries and his co-defendants.

One particularly disturbing account describes how Jacobson, identifiable by a distinctive “snakeskin patch nose,” would audition men in a degrading manner, requiring them to perform sexual acts on him as part of the recruitment process. Jacobson, for his part, has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that all encounters were consensual and rejecting any claims of coercion.

The scandal has also led to legal actions against Abercrombie & Fitch, the brand Jeffries famously transformed into a global teen fashion powerhouse. David Bradberry has filed a lawsuit against the retailer, accusing the company of being complicit in Jeffries’ alleged abuse. The lawsuit alleges that Abercrombie’s modeling scouts played a role in identifying young men for Jeffries to prey upon, creating a pipeline of potential victims under the guise of professional opportunities.

In a statement, Abercrombie & Fitch expressed its shock and disgust over the allegations, distancing itself from Jeffries, who stepped down as CEO in 2014. The company stated that it was “appalled and disgusted” by the accusations and assured the public that it had no involvement in the criminal activities alleged against its former leader. Abercrombie further emphasized that it would cooperate fully with any legal proceedings and investigations related to the case.

Jeffries’ departure from the company in 2014 marked the end of a controversial reign. While he was credited with turning Abercrombie & Fitch into a teen fashion sensation, his leadership was marred by criticism over the brand’s hypersexualized marketing, exclusionary policies, and elitist image. The latest allegations, however, paint a much darker picture of his time at the helm of the company, suggesting that the exploitation of young men was an integral part of his personal life during his years of influence.

Attorneys for the victims have hailed the arrests as a crucial step toward justice. “These men have lived in silence for too long,” said one of the lawyers representing the victims. “It’s time for those who exploited them to be held accountable.” The investigation is ongoing, and more victims are expected to come forward as the case gains traction.

For Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson, their next court appearances will determine the extent of their culpability in this wide-reaching scandal. The charges they face are serious, and the evidence against them continues to mount. As the fashion industry watches in shock, the case underscores the troubling intersection of power, wealth, and exploitation that has left lasting scars on the lives of many young men.

With the dark side of his past now coming to light, Jeffries faces not just legal consequences but a complete unraveling of the legacy he once held in the fashion world.

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  • and of course, he said something nice about a republican, once in his life…. so he is pure evil, just like Donald Trump? a MAGAot ? bunch of hypocrats & demon-crites (vice-versa)

  • So the “Bureau of Prisons” are now allowed to break their own laws, making them above the law. Leftist demons have paralyzed us all, and we allow it to continue by voting for them.