Former Abercrombie CEO Requests Competency Hearing in Federal Sex Trafficking Case
Mike Jeffries' attorneys seek a ruling on his mental fitness to stand trial, delaying proceedings in a case alleging an international sex-trafficking operation.
- Mike Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has requested a court hearing to determine his mental competency to stand trial in a federal sex-trafficking case.
- Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and a third alleged accomplice, James Jacobson, face charges of operating a sex-trafficking and prostitution scheme from 2008 to 2015.
- Prosecutors allege the men used promises of modeling opportunities with Abercrombie to lure victims into participating in sex events in the U.S. and abroad.
- The court has set deadlines for both defense and prosecution to submit medical evaluations of Jeffries' competency, with the hearing date yet to be scheduled.
- Jeffries, 80, and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty and are free on bond, with restrictions including home detention, GPS monitoring, and financial limits.