Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, leaves after a hearing at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and US Courthouse, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Oct. 22, 2024.
Rebecca Blackwell | AP
The old one Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his colleagues will plead guilty on Friday to criminal charges of sexually abusing a number of men, most of whom wanted to become fashion designers.
Jeffries, 80, and James Jacobson, 71, will appear in US District Court in Long Island, New York, three days after they were arrested on charges of sex trafficking and prostitution.
Attorneys for both men confirmed to CNBC earlier Friday that their clients will enter pleas of not guilty.
A graphic 16-count indictment filed Tuesday accuses Jeffries and her partner Matthew Smith, 61, of running an international sex trafficking business over six years, much of which coincided with Jeffries’ time as CEO of Abercrombie.
Jacobson allegedly operated as a recruiter for “Sex Events,” and allegedly required candidates to participate in “attempts” with him.
The defendants are alleged to have used “coercive, fraudulent and deceptive” recruitment tactics, including recruiting men “to believe that attending sex parties would lead to modeling opportunities with Abercrombie or benefit their careers,” the indictment said.
If convicted, Jeffries and Jacobson face a maximum sentence of life in prison on the sex trafficking charge alone, and a minimum of 15 years in prison. They could also face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of 15 counts of prostitution.
Smith was also arrested on Tuesday and is facing similar charges. He and Jeffries were arrested in Florida, while Jacobson was arrested in Wisconsin, where he lives.
A magistrate judge released Jeffries on $10 million bond, as well as house arrest and community supervision conditions, at his first court appearance in West Palm Beach on Tuesday afternoon.
Smith was ordered to be held in custody pending his next court appearance because, as a UK citizen, he poses a flight risk.
Jacobson was released on $500,000 bond after appearing in federal court in St. Louis. Paul, Minnesota, Tuesday afternoon.
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