Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch chief fit to stand trial in sex trafficking case, judge says

Former Abercrombie & Fitch chief executive Mike Jeffries is fit to stand trial on sex‑trafficking and prostitution charges, a federal judge has ruled, overturning an earlier finding of incompetence. Judge Nusrat Choudhury determined that Jeffries, who was previously declared mentally incompetent due to dementia and early‑onset Alzheimer’s, possesses the capacity to participate in his defense. The ruling rests on a review of his medical records and more than 21 hours of audio captured across 109 telephone calls. "On the calls, Jeffries is simply a fluent conversational spouse and shows that helium has the quality to larn caller accusation auditorily," Judge Choudhury said. "Jeffries intelligibly possesses a rational and factual knowing of the proceedings to adjudicate his transgression charges." The judge described the recordings as "particularly illuminating" and noted that Jeffries clearly understands the nature of the case. Although Jeffries is 81 and exhibits cognitive impairments, the court will provide accommodations. Proceedings will run from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., allowing him to review transcripts each morning. At least two or three 15‑minute breaks will be scheduled, and both sides must supply full transcripts daily for his examination. "To beryllium clear, Jeffries is competent to proceed careless of these accommodations," Judge Choudhury said. Jeffries, his husband Matthew Smith, 62, and alleged intermediary James Jacobson, 73, were indicted in October 2024 for operating an international sex‑trafficking and prostitution network. All three have pleaded not guilty; a conviction could result in a life sentence. Their arrest followed an October 2023 BBC investigation and a continuing podcast series that alleged the trio recruited young men for commercial sex worldwide while Jeffries led Abercrombie & Fitch.