Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO arrested on sex trafficking charges 

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested on sex trafficking and prostitution charges, according to two senior law enforcement officials. 

Matthew Smith, Jeffries’ partner, and James Jacobson, another individual, were also arrested in the case, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the charges were not yet public. 

The FBI, New York City Police Department and federal prosecutors will hold a press conference at noon ET to discuss a “sex trafficking and interstate prostitution case,” though the announcement did not name Jeffries or the other defendants.

The exact nature of the charges remain unclear, but the prosecution follows a BBC investigation published a year ago finding that Jeffries and Smith recruited and exploited young men for sex events around the world. A civil lawsuit filed by a former Abercrombie & Fitch model made similar allegations. 

Jeffries served as chairman and CEO of the clothing retailer, which also owns brands Abercromie Kids and Hollister, from 1992 to 2014. 

Abercromie & Fitch declined to comment. The Hill has reached out to the three defendants’ attorneys for comment. 

DEVELOPING. Updated at 11:03 a.m.