NEW YORK -- Disgraced ex-Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries and one of his codefendants pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution at their arraignment in Central Islip's federal court.
Jeffries and James Jacobson were released on bond -- $10 million for the former fashion CEO and $500,000 for Jacobson, according to prosecutors.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione ordered home confinement and electronic monitoring for both Jeffries and Jacobson and prohibited both men from contacting their codefendants, victims or witnesses in the case, prosecutors said.
Jeffries' wife and son were in the audience of the courtroom and signed the bond, which was secured by a Fisher Island, New York, home owned by the defendant.
Just three days before, Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and Jacobson were charged in a 16-count indictment in Long Island. They recruited dozens of men, many of whom aspired to be fashion models, to "sex events" in New York City, Long Island and across the globe between 2008 and 2015, federal prosecutors allege.
The accused predator and his alleged accomplices are said to have flown their victims around the world, locking them into the "events" and forcing them to give up their clothing, phones, wallets and sign nondisclosure agreements, according to the indictment.
Once trapped, the victims would be subjected to high-pressure enemas, the shaving of their genitals and in some cases, injections in their penises to induce the men to take part in activities that they were unable or unwilling to participate in, the indictment said.
Some of the victims worked at Abercrombie stores or modeled for the fashion giant, and were led to believe refusing to take part would destroy their careers, prosecutors allege.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said Tuesday the probe began last year, and investigators are looking to interview more possible victims. Evidence in the case involves travel and financial records, plus accounts from victims and witnesses, he said.
Last October, one of Jeffries' accusers, actor David Bradberry, filed a lawsuit against Jeffries, Smith and Abercrombie & Fitch, accusing the former CEO of raping him and the company of providing Jeffries with the "position of power and unfettered access to corporate funds necessary for Jeffries to sexually terrorize aspiring male models."
Bradberry was one of eight people who spoke out in a BBC documentary and podcast series, accusing Jeffries, who ran Abercrombie as CEO from 1992 until 2014, of luring them to events and parties around the world, where many of them were coerced into performing sexual acts.
Matthew Smith has yet to be arraigned. At an appearance in federal court in West Palm Beach Tuesday, Smith was remanded, reserving the right to make a bail application in the future, said prosecutors.
Jeffries and Jacobson are due to appear in court Dec. 12.