Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his alleged accomplice, James Jacobson, entered not guilty pleas to sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges on Friday at a New York federal court. Jeffries, who remains free on a $10 million bond, is required to surrender his passport and is restricted to his homes in Florida, New York City, and Long Island, with GPS monitoring. Jacobson’s bond was set at $500,000, with similar restrictions.

Prosecutors allege that from 2008 to 2015, Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and Jacobson ran an international sex trafficking operation, hosting “sex events” across locations like New York, St. Barts, and Europe, targeting vulnerable aspiring male models. The indictment accuses the trio of using coercion, false promises, and even non-disclosure agreements to manipulate and silence victims, some of whom had previously worked for Abercrombie.

Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries departs after being arraigned on sex trafficking and prostitution charges at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York, U.S., October 25, 2024.

According to court documents, these events were allegedly organized with extensive security, household staff, and payment for participation. In some cases, men were reportedly injected with erection-inducing substances, even against their will. Federal investigators began probing after a BBC report detailed accounts from 12 men who described being exploited at these events, many of whom did not participate willingly.

Abercrombie & Fitch, which faced several lawsuits under Jeffries’ leadership, responded to the allegations as “appalling.” A civil suit against Jeffries and the company remains unresolved, alleging that Jeffries abused men lured with promises of modeling contracts, as reported by CNBC.