Former Abercrombie CEO Michael Jeffries Ruled Competent for Sex Trafficking Trial Set for January 2027

A federal judge has ruled that former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries is mentally competent to stand trial on sex trafficking charges, clearing the way for a January 4, 2027 trial date. The 82-year-old former fashion executive had argued that cognitive decline from Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, and a traumatic brain injury made him incapable of understanding the case against him, but U.S. District Judge Nusrat Choudhury disagreed in a 157-page ruling, calling Jeffries a "reasonably intelligent person and skilled communicator."

The trial, set for the U.S. District Court in Central Islip, New York, will proceed with afternoon-only sessions to accommodate Jeffries' health needs. Prosecutors estimate their case will take two months to present, given the truncated schedule.

What Jeffries Is Accused Of

The 16-count indictment alleges that Jeffries, his romantic partner Matthew Smith, and a third defendant, James Jacobson, ran an international sex trafficking and prostitution scheme between 2009 and 2015. According to prosecutors, the defendants lured young men — some of whom previously worked at Abercrombie stores or modeled for the company — into what were described as "sex events" in New York City, the Hamptons, England, France, Italy, Morocco, and Saint Barthélémy.

The allegations are graphic: prosecutors say Jeffries and Smith injected some men with prescription-grade erection medication, forced victims to have nonconsensual sex, and plied them with alcohol, muscle relaxants, and drugs. Victims were allegedly required to wear costumes, use sex toys, and sign nondisclosure agreements. Jacobson, the indictment claims, traveled domestically and internationally to hold "tryouts" that required candidates to engage in sex acts with him.

Fifteen victims are identified in the indictment, but federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York say the defendants targeted "dozens and dozens" of men over the six-year period.

The Competency Battle

Jeffries' legal team spent months arguing that their client's cognitive issues made him unfit for trial. The defense pointed to progressive conditions including Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, claiming they could not be cured and would only worsen.

But Judge Choudhury's ruling paints a different picture. After a three-day hearing at a federal medical center in Pennsylvania, where Jeffries underwent memory and comprehension evaluations, the judge concluded that the former CEO "clearly possesses a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings."

The ruling cites more than 21 hours of telephone recordings showing Jeffries engaging in critical thinking, recalling information about family and friends, and staying current on world events. In one November 2025 call, Jeffries asked Smith about New York City's mayoral election results. In others, the pair discussed designer