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, 70, 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 monitorin
Jeffries’ reign at Abercrombie & Fitch was dominated by its controversial brand image and the equally controversial remarks he made about his customer base
The judge told Jeffries what the conditions were of his GPS monitoring – only allowed to leave home for court, medical appointment, religious service. Refrain from possessing firearm, etc.
He is also not allowed to have any contact with co-defendant, witnesses, victims, etc.
Jeffries attorney said his passport, travel docs were all turned in on Tuesday.
He is only allowed to stay in NY, Long Island and Fisher Island.
The judge said something to his wife and son when go over the $10 million bond that they can close on his house.
Jeffries attorney said his passport, travel docs were all turned in on Tuesday
The judge also said to Jeffries ‘while putting your family members into financial risk if you violate your bond there will be a warrant for your arrest.
‘Do you understand,’ the judge asked.
He responded ‘Yes, I do sir.
He sat in the courtroom during Jeffries hearing. He looked as if he had his hand over his nose for a while. His hearing followed immediately after.
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. The judge required that he have a Mental Health Plan.
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
Two of his suretors were not present but were called. The first was Donna Sockness. The judge asked her relation to him and she said ‘he is a very close friend of mine, a family friend and also a neighbor.’
She said she lives at 2209 21st St in White Plains, Wisconsin.
The judge said to her’ Do you understand it is a $500,000 bond if he doesn’t come to court he will have to pay the government $500,000.’
She said that she is a retired. She had her social security and her investments.
Judge said ‘since you are not present do I have permission to sign the bond on your behalf., She said, ‘yes your honor.’
Also, 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. Jeffries 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. They were all good looking, with good hair and jawlines. They looked like they were model material.
According to some onlookers, Jeffries pushed his wife when he was walking into the courtroom this morning. They claim that she was ahead of him and moving too slowly. This apparently frustrated Jeffries and reportedly caused him to push her.
There was FBI in the courtroom and someone with National Missing and Exploited Children there as well.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .