Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries & British partner Matthew Smith arrested over sex trafficking claims

The arrests of Mike Jeffries and Matthew Smith, which also included an alleged middleman, took place on Tuesday morning (October 22), according to the BBC.

The exposé was part of the BBC investigation which aired last year, revealing claims that Jeffries and Smith exploited and abused men at events held in New York and luxury hotels worldwide. The report uncovered a sophisticated operation involving a middleman, identified as James Jacobson, and a network of recruiters tasked with sourcing men for these events.

The accusations led to a civil lawsuit in New York alleging sex trafficking, rape, and sexual assault by Jeffries and Smith, as well as claims that A&F funded the operation during the two decades Jeffries was at the helm.

Brad Edwards, a civil lawyer representing some of the alleged victims, confirmed the arrests, calling them "a huge first step towards obtaining justice for the many victims who were exploited and abused through this sex-trafficking scheme that operated for many years under the legitimate cover Abercrombie provided." He credited the arrests to "the unprecedented reporting of the BBC" and the lawsuit filed by his firm, which detailed the operation.

The BBC investigation included interviews with 12 men who described attending or organising events for Jeffries, 79, and Smith, 60, between 2009 and 2015. While some said they were aware that the events would be sexual in nature, they were not fully informed about what would be expected of them.

Others claimed they were misled or not told that sex would be involved. All the men interviewed reported being paid, and several said recruiters had mentioned potential modeling opportunities with A&F.

James Jacobson, the alleged middleman, previously denied any involvement in coercive or deceptive behaviour, saying through his lawyer that he "took offence at the suggestion of any coercive, deceptive or forceful behaviour on my part" and had "no knowledge of any such conduct by others."

In response to the arrests, Jeffries' lawyer said: "We will respond in detail to the allegations after the Indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse – not the media." Smith's legal team has not yet provided additional comment.

The BBC's initial investigation prompted A&F to launch an independent inquiry into the allegations, though the company has declined to share details on the progress or findings. The brand, which is seeking to have the civil lawsuit dismissed, argued it had no knowledge of "the supposed sex-trafficking venture" and condemned the alleged conduct.

A US court previously ruled that A&F must cover the costs of Jeffries' legal defence, as the allegations were tied to his corporate role.