Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries deemed mentally unfit to stand trial for sex trafficking charges.
Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been deemed unfit to stand trial concerning allegations tied to an international sex-trafficking operation that primarily targeted vulnerable young men, many of whom were aspiring models. This legal development comes as part of ongoing proceedings in a New York federal court, where Jeffries is facing serious federal charges.
In a recent filing, Jeffries’ legal team disclosed that he is suffering from significant health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and the lingering effects of a traumatic brain injury. These conditions, they argue, have left him in a state requiring continuous care and unable to comprehend the legal proceedings against him. As a result of these assertions, Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury of the Eastern District of New York deemed it necessary to conduct a competency hearing to evaluate Jeffries’ mental state.
Following the competency assessment, Judge Choudhury ruled that Jeffries is “mentally incompetent,” stating that he is unable to grasp the nature and ramifications of the accusations he faces or to effectively participate in his defense. In light of this ruling, the judge has mandated that Jeffries be hospitalized for a period of four months, with the hope that his mental condition may improve during that time.
Jeffries, who led Abercrombie & Fitch as CEO from 1992 until 2014, has been released on a million bond since October 2022. He entered a plea of not guilty to charges encompassing sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. The allegations assert that he exploited his influence and status to lure men into participating in drug-laden sex parties under the guise of offering modeling opportunities for the retailer, which gained notoriety in the early 2000s for its marketing campaigns featuring shirtless men.
Last year, Jeffries was arrested in connection with this case alongside his partner, Matthew Smith, 61, and 71-year-old James Jacobson. Like Jeffries, Smith has also pleaded not guilty to charges related to the trafficking operation, and both individuals remain free on bond, awaiting further legal developments. As the case unfolds, it illustrates a significant intersection of celebrity culture, legal accountability, and the pressing issues surrounding exploitation and abuse within the modeling industry.
This situation continues to attract attention, underscoring the complexities of mental health considerations within the legal system while also raising critical questions about the ethical responsibilities of individuals in positions of power.
Media News Source
