Federal authorities on Tuesday arrested the former CEO of fashion brand Abercrombie & Fitch in Florida on sex trafficking-related charges.

Police took Mike Jeffries into custody in West Palm Beach in connection to sex parties he and two other associates allegedly hosted, according to NBC News. 

Mr. Jeffries and his codefendants — Matt Smith of West Palm Beach and Jim Jacobson of Wisconsin — will be prosecuted in federal court in New York.

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Two sources told NBC that the suspects are accused of hiring people to recruit male models for sex parties, where numerous men were paid to attend the events or work at the gatherings.

Mr. Jeffries, 80, was the CEO of Abercrombie from 1992-2014. 

The BBC last year reported that multiple men said they were exploited at the sex parties that were held from 2009-15.

The men shared that they unwillingly took part in some of the sex acts for Mr. Jeffries and his partner, Mr. Smith.

Abercrombie said it was “appalled and disgusted” by the allegations in the BBC report at the time.

Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith will make their initial court appearance Tuesday in Florida, while Mr. Jacobson will appear in Wisconsin.

The FBI and New York Police Department were to join federal prosecutors in Brooklyn for a press conference later Tuesday. The case will be prosecuted on Long Island.

Mr. Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, told The Associated Press by email he would “respond in detail to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse — not the media.”

AP sent messages seeking comments to attorneys for Mr. Smith and Mr. Jacobson.