A federal judge cleared the 82-year-old to stand trial, with jury selection set to begin in October.
ByJaelani Turner-Williams
August 22, 2026
Key Takeaways
- A federal judge ruled former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries competent to stand trial on sex trafficking, interstate prostitution, and related charges.
- The ruling reverses a May 2025 incompetency finding after treatment and evaluations showed the 82-year-old understands the proceedings and can meaningfully assist his lawyers despite some cognitive decline.
- Jeffries faces a 16-count indictment alongside his romantic partner, Matthew C. Smith, with jury selection scheduled for October 26 in New York federal court.
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries has been ruled competent to stand trial on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges.
A federal judge made the decision roughly two months before jury selection in the case begins October 26. Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury of the Eastern District of New York issued a 157-page opinionfinding there is “far more than a preponderance of the evidence” to support the competency determination.
The 82-year-old faces a 16-count indictment charging sex trafficking, interstate prostitution, and aiding and abetting those offenses. Named as co-defendant his romantic partner, Matthew C. Smith.
The ruling reverses a May 2025 finding that Jeffries was mentally incompetent and suffering from dementia. Following that determination, Jeffries was committed to the Federal Medical Center at Butner in North Carolina for competency restoration from July 21 through November 21, 2025. Evaluators at FMC Butner ultimately concluded his competency had been restored, per BBC News.
After his release, the parties’ experts re-evaluated him, and the court held a four-day competency hearing in March 2026. Judge Choudhury reviewed testimony and reports from six expert witnesses, three for the defense and three for the prosecution, as well as Jeffries’ medical records.
The judge found Jeffries fully grasps the structure of the criminal legal system, courtroom procedures, and key concepts including the right to testify and attorney-client privilege. Judge Choudhury also found him capable of consulting meaningfully with his lawyers, asking relevant questions, and recalling new information days or weeks later.
While acknowledging some decline in his cognitive functioning, the court found those changes did not undermine Jeffries’ ability to understand the proceedings or assist in his own defense. Judge Choudhury also noted the former Abercrombie chief executive had initially avoided engaging with the charges during much of his hospitalization, but later learned and retained sufficient information about them.
Jury selection is scheduled for October 26 in the Eastern District of New York. The businessman is alleged to have operated an international sex ring that involved several male Abercrombie models while running the company, which he resigned from in December 2014 after 12 years.
