Michael Jeffries, 80, appeared in West Palm Beach federal court this afternoon with his life partner and co-defendant Matthew Smith — the pair facing New York federal sex trafficking charges that could put them behind bars for life.
Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch from 1992 to 2014, looked calm, wearing a navy pullover sweater and white pants, his hands shackled to a chain around his waist.
Jeffries left court surrounded by his lawyers after the judge ruled he could go free on bond while fighting his sex trafficking charges.
Prosecutors agreed with his lawyers on a $10 million bond secured by a house he co-owns with his wife on Fisher’s Island, New York.
Jeffries will be fitted with a GPS ankle monitor and restricted to his apartment in Palm Beach.
The indictment states that Jeffries, Smith and James Jacobson, an employee of theirs, used their power, wealth and Jeffries’ position at Abercrombie to entice more than a dozen young male model hopefuls to attend parties where they were forced into sex acts.
“Powerful people have for too long have trafficked and abused for their own sexual pleasure young people with few resources and a dream of securing a career in fashion or entertainment,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said during a Tuesday news conference.
Prosecutors say Jeffries used the promise of being an Abercrombie model to coerce the men into sex, often plying them with drugs.
The indictment says their Jacobson scouted the young men from across the world and made them perform “tryouts” by having sex with him first, and if they passed, he invited them to parties where they were then forced into having sex with Jeffries and Smith and others.
The indictment follows civil lawsuits alleging the same charges.
One of the civil plaintiffs, David Bradberry, a former crewman on the reality series “Below Deck,” said Jeffries made Abercrombie successful by the “oversexualization of young men.”
A lawyer from the firm representing him and several others said after court:
“Today marks a big step forward on behalf of David Bradbury and the other survivors in this action, the arrest this morning serves as a validation of their bravery in coming forward and sharing their stories and experiences. And our law firm looks forward to continue representing all survivors of abuse and ensuring that all parties are held responsible,” said Dean Kaire of Edwards Henderson.
Smith, a UK citizen who resides in the States, waived pretrial intervention and will remain jailed until he faces arraignment in New York.
Jacobson was also arrested in Wisconsin.
