Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries tried unsuccessfully to hide his ankle monitor as he appeared in court on vile sex charges.
Jeffries, 80, was snapped walking into the court in Long Island Friday with his right sock pulled up over the tracking device.
But the attempted disguise did little to hide it as Jeffries headed inside to deny sexually abusing 15 young male models between 2008 and 2015.
Also in court was his alleged fixer James Jacobson, who has a prosthetic nose. Both men pleaded not guilty to one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution.
A shocking indictment claims Jeffries, Jacobson and Jeffries’ partner Matthew Smith, 61, sexually abused 15 men between December 2008 and March 2015.
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, 80, seen leaving the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York on Friday as he appeared on vile sex charges
James Jacobson is pictured walking into court in Central Islip, Long Island, on Friday to answer sex trafficking charges. His prosthetic nose is visible
Jeffries tried unsuccessfully to hide his ankle monitor as he appeared in court on Friday
Smith also denies the allegations, but was not part of Friday’s arraignment hearing.
The alleged victims say they were forced to take erection drugs and say they had their genitals shaved against their will.
Those men, who have chosen to remain anonymous, were made to dress up and subjected to ‘high-pressure enemas,’ it is alleged.
Some of the trio’s alleged victims were not gay, they said. They accused Jeffries, Jacobson and Smith of plying them with erectile drugs so they could be forced into same-sex activity against their will.
Jeffries was CEO of Abercrombie – famed for its homoerotic advertising – between 1992 and 2014.
His reputation began to fall apart thanks to Netflix’s White Hot documentary, which laid bare abuse Abercrombie workers and models say they suffered.
Prosecutors say the victims were paid to travel to places including New York City, England, France, Italy, Morocco and Saint Barthelemy to have sex with Jeffries, Smith and others.
Jeffries, right, was released from jail on a $10 million bond by a magistrate at the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday (pictured that day)
Jeffries saw his reputation began to fall apart thanks to Netflix’s White Hot documentary, which laid bare abuse Abercrombie workers and models say they suffered
Jeffries allegedly used a company he named the Jeffries Family Office to recruit household staff to ‘facilitate and supervise the Sex Events.’
Prosecutors say the staff controlled the entry and exit to the sex parties and provided the men who attended with muscle relaxants known as ‘poppers,’ as well as lubricant, Viagra and condoms, among other items.
The staff also directed alleged victims to ‘wear costumes, use sex toys or prepare for particular sexual acts,’ according to court documents.
Smith and Jeffries are accused of injecting men in their penises with ‘a prescription-grade erection-inducing substance’ that caused painful, hours-long reactions to get them to engage in sex acts.
The men weren’t informed of all that the events would entail, including some of the sexual practices they’d be expected to engage in, and they were required to give up their clothes and cell phones during the gatherings and sign non-disclosure agreements afterward, the indictment said.
Jeffries worked as the CEO for Abercrombie between 1992 and 2014
Jacobson is accused of travelling in the US and abroad to recruit and interview men for the sex parties. He allegedly used the nicknames ‘Jim Jake,’ ‘Mrs. Cook’ and ‘Todd.’
According to the indictment, Jacobson would conduct ‘tryouts’ with potential candidates by paying them for sex with him. At the direction of Smith, Jacobson also allegedly paid fees to individuals who referred men for the sex parties.
But prosecutors say the men were never told ‘the full extent and nature of the sexual activity that would be required’ which allegedly included ‘anal intercourse, the insertion of large sex toys into the anus, and high-pressured enemas administered by inserting a hose into the anus.’
The alleged victims say they believed attending the sex parties could provide them with model opportunities with Abercrombie and that their careers could suffer if they did not comply.
The sex parties incorporated Abercrombie products, with victims being given itineraries for it that did not mention commercial sex and ‘resembled those often sent to models for photo shoots.’
When witnesses threatened to expose what was going on, Jeffries and Smith used a security company to surveil and intimidate them into silence, according to a letter that prosecutors filed in court.
The judge told Jeffries what the conditions were of his GPS monitoring
Jeffries’ reign at Abercrombie & Fitch was dominated by its controversial brand image and the equally controversial remarks he made about his customer basere two
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According to some onlookers, Jeffries pushed his wife when he was walking into the courtroom on Friday afternoon.
They claimed that his wife was ahead of him and moving too slowly.
This apparently frustrated Jeffries and reportedly caused him to push her.
The hearing that was initially scheduled to start at 3pm, started nearly 20 minutes later.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione told Jeffries what the purpose of the hearing was and what his rights were.
Additionally, what the conditions were of his GPS monitoring.
Some of the conditions he was required to follow for home detention included only leaving his property for a court appearance, medical appointments, and for religious services.
The judge ordered Jeffries to remain in New York, Long Island and Fishers Island, NY until his next court date scheduled for December 12.
He was also instructed to refrain from possessing any firearms, and not to have any contact with the co-defendant, any witnesses, or the victims.
When the judge inquired about Jeffries passport, 비아그라복용법 his attorney said his passport, and travel documents were turned in on Tuesday.
The disgraced CEO will remain free on $10 million bond with his home on Fishers Island, New York as collateral.
Jeffries attorney said his passport, travel docs were all turned in on Tuesday
‘While putting your family members into financial risk if you violate your bond there will be a warrant for your arrest,’ Judge Tiscione said.
‘Do you understand,’ the judge asked.
He responded ‘Yes, I do sir.
Jeffries at times acted like he was hard of hearing and had to speak often with his attorneys when the judge asked him certain questions.
Nevertheless, he seemed very alert. He looked at the victims several times but never even glanced at Jacobson, who was behind him.
It’s unclear how many victims appeared in court, although there seemed to be at least four. There was FBI in the courtroom and someone with National Missing and Exploited Children there as well.
Jeffries appeared expressionless as he followed his family members and his attorney out of the courtroom just as Jacobson’s proceeding was just getting started.
He was shaking at times, as the judge spoke to him. His GPS conditions were the same as Jeffries but also covered Michigan and Wisconsin
Jacobson, known as the ‘fixer’ sat in the courtroom during Jeffries hearing alongside his attorney Jeremy Schneider until he was called by the judge.
During the proceeding, the magistrate told Jacobson’s attorney that he was required to have a mental health plan. He also reviewed his GPS conditions that were similar to Jeffries.
When the judge said he is not to have contact with any of the witnesses, victims or the co-defendant, Jacobson’s attorney said ‘obviously we don’t know who the other Jane Does are because of ‘incidental contact.’
The judge responded: ‘I think your client probably has a good idea who they are.’
At times, Jacobson was seen placing his glasses on and off his face and shaking at times, specifically when he responded to the judge.
Two of the people who were suretors for Jacobson were out-of-state and not present in the courtroom, but were called on the telephone.
The first was Donna Sockness. The judge asked her relation to Jacobson. She said that he ‘is a very close friend of mine, a family friend and also a neighbor,’ then gave her address that was in White Plains, Wisconsin when the judge asked.
Sockness said she worked as a communications operator for the Wisconsin State Patrol but told the judge she was now retired.
He asked, ‘Do you understand it is a $500,000 bond and if he doesn’t come to court he will have to pay the government $500,000?’
Sockness said she understood and has her social security and her investments.
The judge said ‘since you are not present do I have permission to sign the bond on your behalf. She said complied and said, ‘yes your honor.’
As this was happening, Jacobson sat and listened.
Marilyn Smith, was the second person called. She told the judge that she knows Jacobson’s family for a long time, and that she used to care for his mother.
She told him that she had her 401k and her social security.
When the judge asked ‘are you willing to sign the bond on behalf of Mr. Jacobson.’
She said, ‘yes, your honor.’
Jeffries’ partner Matthew Smith, a dual U.S.-British citizen, was not at Friday’s court hearing. He has been ordered detained and will plead later to the same 16 charges.
Both Jeffries and 비아그라복용법 Jacobson are due back in federal court on December 12.
Mike Jeffries
