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Abercrombie Chief Arrested for Sex Trafficking

Posted by Joseph D. Lento | Dec 18, 2024 | 0 Comments

Sex trafficking remains a serious issue in the United States, affecting thousands of victims each year. This form of human trafficking involves the exploitation of individuals, often minors, for commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion. That being said, many individuals may find themselves accused of sex trafficking and unsure of where to turn to for help.

If you or someone you know has been accused of sex trafficking, they must reach out to a confident and experienced criminal attorney immediately. The knowledgeable attorneys at LLF Law Firm have been trained to navigate this complex terrain and will ensure your due process is upheld every step of the way. Call the offices today at 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation online.

Sex Trafficking Allegations

In October 2024, the former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, Mike Jeffries, was arrested for a sex trafficking scheme that ran from 2008 to 2005 alongside his romantic partner, Matthew Smith, and their employee James Jacobsen. Apparently, Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobsen used Jeffries' status, wealth, and power to convince at least 15 men to come to drug-laced, bizarre, and coercive sex parties in exchange for hiring the men to model for an Abercrombie & Fitch campaign.

The United States has a federal regulation that makes sex trafficking a federal offense. As such, it is illegal to knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, or maintain an individual over 18 by using force, fraud, or coercion. If the individual allegedly being trafficked is under the age of 18, they do not have to show such proof.

Moreover, Pennsylvania enacted its first comprehensive anti-trafficking statute in 2014. This law is similar to the federal law; however, it specifically states that the acting person must know or recklessly disregard that the victim will be subject to involuntary servitude. It goes on to explain that sexual servitude is defined as any sex act or performance involving a sex act for which anything of value is given, promised, or received and is induced or obtained from a minor or through involuntary servitude.

Thus, if you are accused of sex trafficking, your criminal defense team will work diligently to create a defense on your behalf. One defense that might be accessible for you is proving you were unaware that the alleged victim would be subjected to involuntary servitude. Without this knowledge, you should not be found guilty of sex trafficking in Pennsylvania.

How the LLF Law Firm Can Help

If you are accused of a criminal act, including alleged sex trafficking, you need a strong defense. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team will provide crucial assistance by developing a comprehensive and strategic defense and protecting your constitutional rights. As such, they will evaluate the specific charges and evidence against you, gather alternative evidence and witness testimony to bolster your defense and identify any weaknesses in the prosecution's case.

By working with an experienced criminal defense attorney, you will be prepared and advocated for the whole way through. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.

About the Author

Joseph D. Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento passionately fights for the futures of his clients in criminal courtrooms in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania as well as in New Jersey and nationwide. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. With unparalleled experience occupying several roles in the criminal justice system outside of being an attorney, Joseph D. Lento can give you valuable behind-the-scenes insight as to what is happening during all phases of the legal process. Joseph D. Lento is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, and is admitted pro hac vice as needed nationwide. In the courtroom and in life, attorney Joseph D. Lento stands up when the bell rings!

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The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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