Who are the men tied to the alleged Abercrombie sex trafficking case?

NEW YORK - Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, Mike Jefferies appeared in court Tuesday for a hearing on his federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges. 

In October, Jefferies pleaded not guilty, with his lawyer entering the plea on his behalf, and has since declined to comment. 

At their first status conference, Jefferies appeared alongside his romantic partner, Matthew Smith. Smith, who was arrested alongside Jefferies and a third man, James Jacobson, on Oct. 22, faces charges of luring men into drug-fueled sex parties with promises of modeling jobs for a trend-setting retailer. 

All three men continue to maintain their innocence. 

While Jefferies and Jacobson were released on bond after pleading not guilty, Smith, a dual U.S.-British citizen, was initially detained after prosecutors raised concerns he might flee the country.

Under the terms of the bail agreement, Smith will turn over his passport and he and Jeffries will be limited to $125,000 in monthly withdrawals from a trust set up for their benefit, according to AP. 

Who is Mike Jefferies?

Bob Haboldt, Daniel Romaldes, Annabel Seldorf, Store Architect, Mike Jeffries, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO and Guest (Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic for Paul Wilmot Communications)

Jeffries took over as CEO of Abercrombie in 1992, presiding over the evolution of the company from its roots as a hunting and outdoor goods store founded in Manhattan in 1892 to a fixture of teen mall culture during the early 2000s.

Who is Matthew Smith?

Matthew Smith, the partner of former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, Mike Jeffries, exits after being arraigned in federal court, in Central Islip, New York, on December 3, 2024. Jeffries and Smith have been arrested and charged with running a prost

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Matthew Smith, 61, the partner of former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jefferies, was released on a $10 million bond after pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and prostitution charges in a federal court on Long Island.

Who is James Jacobson? 

James Jacobson (L), who is facing charges related to the investigation into former CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, Mike Jeffries, walks out of federal court, in Central Islip, New York on October 25, 2024. Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and the pa

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James Jacobson, an employee of Jefferies at the time of the alleged offenses, also faces charges in the case. 

For nearly 20 years, Jefferies, Smith, and Jacobson used Jefferies’ wealth and status to manipulate individuals into participating in sex parties, according to a federal indictment. Jacobson, who acted as a recruiter, declined to address the charges during his court appearance in St. Paul, Minnesota, and did not comment as he left the courthouse on a $500,000 bond. 

He has previously stated that he was not involved in any coercive or deceptive behavior.

What are they accused of?

LONDON,ENGLAND - June 2023: Abercrombie & Fitch store sign External Store Sign London, England. (Photo by Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

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Prosecutors allege that 15 men were induced by "force, fraud, and coercion" to engage in drug-fueled sex parties, where they were sometimes directed to wear costumes, use sex toys, and endure painful injections. The events, which occurred between 2008 and 2015, took place in New York City, the Hamptons, and various international locations, including England, France, Italy, Morocco, and St. Barts.

The allegations mirror previous sexual misconduct claims made against Jefferies in media reports and a civil case following his departure from Abercrombie & Fitch in 2014 after more than two decades as CEO.

Abercrombie & Fitch, in a statement expressed being "appalled and disgusted" by the allegations.