U.S. District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury has ruled that Michael Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, is mentally competent to stand trial on sex trafficking charges. The decision follows months of hospitalization for symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
In her ruling on Thursday, Choudhury stated that Jeffries "clearly possesses a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings" and is a "reasonably intelligent person and skilled communicator." She based her conclusion on testimony and reports from medical experts, as well as recordings of Jeffries' phone calls made while in custody at a federal prison hospital in Butner, North Carolina.
"His presentation and responses in evaluations following his commitment to Butner and his phone calls show that he understands the structure of the criminal legal system, courtroom procedures, the functions of the various participants, the nature and purpose of the proceedings, and key legal concepts," Choudhury wrote.
Jeffries, 82, is currently free on bond. His trial is scheduled for late October, with co-defendants Matthew Smith, identified as his partner, and staffer James Jacobson. A pretrial hearing is set for next Thursday.
Jeffries' legal team had previously argued that he required constant care due to the effects of Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, and a traumatic brain injury. Medical experts testified that Jeffries' cognitive issues were "progressive and incurable" and that he would not regain competency.
This led to the judge ordering Jeffries' hospitalization to assess his condition. After approximately four months at the Butner facility, federal prison officials determined in December that he was mentally fit for trial.
Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson have all pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. Prosecutors allege that the three used the lure of modeling jobs to entice men to sex parties, which involved drugs, in locations including New York City and the Hamptons. These allegations mirror accusations of sexual misconduct made in civil cases and publicly in recent years.
Jeffries, who is credited with transforming Abercrombie & Fitch into a prominent brand in teen mall culture during the early 2000s with its distinct aesthetic and marketing, departed the company in 2014 after more than two decades.