Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Watch: Police update on former Abercrombie CEO arrested on sex trafficking charges

Holly Patrick
Tuesday 22 October 2024 17:03 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Watch as federal prosecutors, FBI officials, and New York Police Department (NYPD) officials announced the arrests and charges in a sex trafficking and interstate prostitution case.

It comes after former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested on sex trafficking charges following an FBI investigation, reports said.

Mr Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and another man were arrested on Tuesday morning with more details expected to come shortly, the BBC reported.

The federal sex trafficking investigation was opened last year following claims that Mr Jeffries and his partner had sexually abused and exploited men at events in New York and around the world.

A lawyer representing some of the alleged victims confirmed the arrests in a statement to the BBC and said: “These arrests are 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.”

Mr Jeffries and Mr Smith have both previously denied any wrongdoing.

Speakers at the news conference will include Breon Peace, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E Dennehy, assistant director in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Field Office, and deputy chief Carlos Ortiz, commanding officer of the New York City Police Department Special Victims Unit.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in