By T.L. Reigns

The Scoop Digital Newspaper: June 2025

New York City, May 5, 2025, A federal judge has ruled that Michael Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, is unfit to stand trial on charges related to sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. The ruling was issued Friday, and the judge has ordered Jeffries to be hospitalized for up to four months to assess whether his mental health improves enough for the trial to proceed.

Jeffries, 80, was accused alongside his partner, Matthew Smith, and James Jacobson in a case that centers around the use of fraudulent promises of modeling opportunities to lure men into participating in sex parties. 

The judge’s decision follows a request from Jeffries’ legal team, who argued that their client’s health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and the effects of a past traumatic brain injury, make it impossible for him to comprehend the charges or aid in his defense. Jeffries’ attorneys presented evidence from multiple medical professionals who concluded that his cognitive condition is both progressive and incurable, stating that there is little to no chance he will regain competency in the future.

In the legal filings, Jeffries’ defense team emphasized that the 80-year-old requires constant care, noting his deteriorating mental state. As a result, they requested that Jeffries be placed in federal custody to receive necessary medical treatment in a Bureau of Prisons facility. Both the defense and the prosecution agreed on the need for hospitalization.

Judge Nusrat Choudhury determined that Jeffries was currently unable to understand the charges against him or meaningfully participate in his defense. In her ruling, she cited the preponderance of the evidence showing that Jeffries’ mental state rendered him mentally incompetent to face trial at this time. Consequently, the judge ordered that he be hospitalized for up to four months in hopes that his condition may improve to the point where he could be evaluated for trial competency.

Jeffries has been out on a $10 million bond since he pleaded not guilty in October to the federal charges. His partner, Matthew Smith, who also faces similar charges, remains out on bond as well. The third co-defendant, James Jacobson, has also pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

The case against Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson dates back to 2024 when federal authorities indicted them for running a sex trafficking ring that targeted vulnerable men, many of whom were aspiring models. Prosecutors allege the men were lured to the “sex events” under the guise of job opportunities, only to be subjected to coercion and sex acts under duress. The charges are tied to past civil suits and ongoing media allegations of sexual misconduct.

The court has not yet ruled on whether Jeffries will be restored to competency after his hospitalization, but his lawyers maintain that his condition is not expected to improve in the foreseeable future. The outcome of his medical evaluation will determine the next steps in the legal proceedings.

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The Scoop Digital Newspaper
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