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Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries competent to face sex trafficking trial, judge rules
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries has been ruled mentally competent to stand trial on charges of running an international sex trafficking scheme, according to U.S. District Judge Nusrat Choudhury.
- The judge's 157-page ruling was based on expert evaluations, testimony, and analysis of Jeffries' phone calls during his hospitalization, which demonstrated his ability to understand legal proceedings and communicate effectively.
- Jeffries, 82, along with his partner Matthew Smith and recruiter James Jacobson, face federal charges related to operating a global sex trafficking and prostitution ring from 2008 to 2015, allegedly exploiting aspiring male models.
- Prosecutors allege the defendants organized drug-fueled sex events worldwide, coercing vulnerable men with promises of modeling opportunities, and threatened harm to their careers if they did not comply.
- Jeffries and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the trial is scheduled for October, with accommodations made for Jeffries' health during court hours.
