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Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Declared Mentally Unfit for Sex Trafficking Trial

A federal judge ruled Michael Jeffries incompetent to stand trial due to dementia, ordering a four-month hospitalization to assess potential restoration of competency.

Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries is pictured after being arraigned on sex trafficking and prostitution charges at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York, on Oct. 25, 2024.
FILE - Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, leaves following a hearing at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Fla., Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
CENTRAL ISLIP, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries leaves a Long Island court with members of his legal team after pleading not guilty to sex-trafficking charges allegedly involving young male models on October 25, 2024 in Central Islip, New York. Jeffries, who is 80, was released on a $10 million bond and answered to 16 counts against him.  (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Michael Jeffries, 80, was declared mentally unfit to face trial on charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution by a federal judge on May 2, 2025.
  • The ruling follows diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and a traumatic brain injury, which impair his ability to understand the legal proceedings or assist in his defense.
  • Jeffries will be hospitalized under the custody of the Attorney General for up to four months to evaluate whether his competency can be restored.
  • The former CEO, along with co-defendants Matthew Smith and James Jacobson, is accused of luring men to events with false modeling promises and coercing them into sexual acts.
  • All three defendants have pleaded not guilty and remain under house arrest on $10 million bonds while awaiting further legal proceedings.