A federal judge has ruled that former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries is mentally competent to stand trial on charges of sex trafficking. The decision, filed in Brooklyn federal court, follows a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation.
Jeffries, 79, and his partner, Matthew Smith, 61, were indicted in September 2024. They are accused of luring young men to events in New York City and abroad with promises of modeling opportunities, then coercing them into sex acts from 2009 to 2015.
The defendants had argued Jeffries was unfit for trial due to cognitive decline. However, a Bureau of Prisons psychologist concluded Jeffries could understand the proceedings and assist in his defense. The judge agreed, noting the doctor found Jeffries to be "pleasant, cooperative, and funny."
Both Jeffries and Smith have pleaded not guilty. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. A trial date has not yet been set.
