In brief
In a reversal of earlier findings, a federal judge declared Mike Jeffries, 81, competent to face a sex‑trafficking trial. The decision was based on his medical records and 21 hours of phone‑call audio that demonstrated his awareness and coordination of the alleged scheme. Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and a middleman were accused of worldwide trafficking of men, with a potential life‑sentence on a guilty verdict. The trial begins on 26 October, with accommodations for Jeffries’ dementia and breaks to allow review of transcripts.
On Friday, Judge Nusrat Choudhury ruled that former Abercrombie & Fitch chief Mike Jeffries is competent to stand trial on a battery of sex‑trafficking and prostitution charges. The decision reverses a 2023 ruling that had found Jeffries mentally incompetent due to dementia and late‑onset Alzheimer’s disease.
The judge’s conclusion was drawn from an in‑depth review of Jeffries’ medical reports and more than 21 hours of phone‑call audio recordings spanning 109 conversations. He described the recordings as "particularly illuminating": Jeffries sounded fluent, could understand new information and had a clear grasp of the legal proceedings.
Jeffries, 81, along with his 62‑year‑old partner Matthew Smith and 73‑year‑old middleman James Jacobson, faces over a dozen counts relating to interstate sex‑trafficking. All three have pleaded not‑guilty, but a conviction could lead to a life sentence.
The trial will commence on 26 October. Judge Choudhury ordered several accommodations to help Jeffries navigate the court: a 13:00‑17:00 session length, at least two 15‑minute breaks, and the requirement for daily transcripts to be provided for Jeffries’ review.
These measures highlight the judge’s confidence that Jeffries is capable of defending himself, despite his age and cognitive challenges.
The allegations arose after a 2023 BBC investigation that alleged Jeffries used his position at Abercrombie & Fitch to run a sophisticated global "nelson" operation that trafficked men for sex. The case now enters the courtroom, where the prosecution and defense will present evidence that could shape the future of the fashion industry’s leadership and the lives of the victims involved.
