Former Diddy and Abercrombie CEO Charged with Sex Trafficking – Why Can You Walk Free?

Over the last 12 months, Sean “Diddy” Combs has suffered a shocking decline. The 54-yr-old music mogul went from accepting lifetime achievement awards to facing a federal racketeering and sex trafficking case.

Like Diddy, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was also charged with sex trafficking. Unlike Diddy, the 80-yr-old businessman was in a position to post bail on Tuesday after his arrest.

According to NBC NewsJeffries was arrested on October 22 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was later charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.

The 15-count federal indictment also charged two of Jeffries’ associates, Matthew Smith, 61, and James Jacobson, 71. All three defendants can be arraigned within the Eastern District of New York on Friday, October 25.

Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson are accused of using “force, fraud and coercion” to traffic people in a prostitution operation between December 2008 and March 2015, which involved 15 victims.

“As alleged in the indictment, former Abercrombie CEO Michael Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and their recruiter James Jacobson used their money and influence to prey on vulnerable men for their own sexual gratification,” said United States Attorney Breon Peace. he stated on Tuesday.

Domestic and international travel was arranged for alleged victims to satisfy Jefferies in New York, in addition to hotels in Italy, France, Italy, Morocco, England and Saint Barthelemy. The the lawsuit states “upscale” staff were hired and brought in to supervise the lads at “Sex Events” and control who goes out and who is available in.

“Staff also provided JEFFRIES, SMITH, and the men who were present with, among other things, alcohol, muscle relaxants called ‘poppers,’ lubricant, Viagra, and condoms,” the lawsuit explains. It also notes that there was a “referral system and interview process” in place before engaging in most activities, adding that participants “didn’t leave Sex Events until JEFFRIES and SMlTH decided it was over.”

Some were even injected with a substance that caused erections after they were “physically unable or unwilling” to exercise, prosecutors say.

After his arrest, Jefferies was released on $10 million bail and the court ordered him placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring. He also cannot travel without permission and must give up his passport.

The accusations and allegations bear some similarities to Diddy’s federal case.

Diddy pleaded not guilty following his September 16 arrest, when federal prosecutors within the Southern District of New York charged him with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation for the aim of prostitution.

A federal appeals court judge ruled that Diddy must remain in jail until his trial date in May 2025. According to reports, the three-time Grammy winner is being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn after being denied bond thrice.

Diddy’s lawyers argue that their client needs to be released pending trial. Initially, a judge rejected his $50 million bail offer, which provided house arrest with GPS monitoring and strict restrictions on his and his mother, Janice Combs’ visitation and assets.

“Indeed, he is not a flight risk, he is a 54-year-old father of seven, a US citizen, an extremely successful artist, businessman and philanthropist, and one of the most recognizable people in the world,” his legal team – he wrote in his appeal to the court in keeping with USA Today.

The proven fact that accused sex trafficker Jeffries is free and locked up in comparison with Diddy, who’s accused of comparable charges, has led social media users to query whether there’s a legal and media double standard in each cases.

“Why isn’t the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch as popular as Diddy?” user X he asked. Someone else sent“You better give the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch the same energy you give Diddy lmao.”

Another tweet To read“The CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch and his cronies have been released on bail in connection with an alleged illegal sex trafficking ring. They all managed to get bail, but the Black One couldn’t… Puffy gets a reminder that he is Black in (the US). How can he get a fair trial? Don’t commit a crime.”

One X user dismissed the unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, speculating that there was a direct connection between the allegations against Diddy and Jeffries.

Person he tweeted“People are asking if the guy from Abercrombie & Fitch is said to Diddy. You all reach out. They’re just bad old ugly white dudes who did their very own illegal shit and got caught.

In addition to the federal charges, Diddy faces quite a few charges civil trials alleging sexual assault, rape, false imprisonment, emotional distress and more. He denied any inappropriate conduct.

Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against him in November 2023 under New York State’s Adult Survivors Act. The two sides quickly reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed amount.

In May 2024, CNN released surveillance footage from March 2016 showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel. The “It’s All About the Benjamins” rapper has released an album apology video without mentioning her name.

Since then, the Bad Boy Records founder has been hit with greater than 120 lawsuits detailing similar allegations, including allegedly supplying the substance now referred to as “pink cocaine” at his bizarre parties.

During the arrest, federal prosecutors found a bag of pink powder in Diddy’s hotel room.

Diddy’s adopted son, Quincy Brown, recently spoke out on behalf of his siblings in support of their father. Quincy wrote on Instagram: “We are united and supporting you each step of the way in which. We hold on to the reality, knowing that it’ll prevail and nothing will break the strength of our family.”