Former Abercrombie CEO Declared Unfit for Trial Due to Severe Dementia

Mike Jeffries, accused of orchestrating an international sex trafficking operation, faces indefinite legal delays as medical evaluations confirm his cognitive incapacity.

Mike Jeffries, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, has been declared mentally unfit to stand trial following multiple medical evaluations diagnosing severe dementia, including Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body disease.
Jeffries’ legal team has requested a four-month hospitalization under federal custody to determine if his competency can be restored; prosecutors have not opposed this motion.
The 80-year-old faces charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution, stemming from allegations of running an international sex trafficking ring targeting male models between 2008 and 2015.
Jeffries’ co-defendants, including his partner Matthew Smith and associate James Jacobson, have pleaded not guilty and remain free on bond as legal proceedings continue.
The case highlights significant challenges in prosecuting elderly defendants with progressive and incurable cognitive disorders, raising legal and ethical questions about accountability and justice.