Michael Jeffries has been diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, a diagnosis that comes as he faces charges of sex trafficking.
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Jeffries was arrested last October along with his partner, Matthew Smith, and accused of operating a global sex trafficking ring. According to the BBC, prosecutors allege that the pair, along with a third individual, exploited vulnerable young men for their sexual gratification, using their wealth and influence to coerce the victims. Both have pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, in a recent court filing, Jeffries’ lawyers requested a competency hearing, citing his declining mental health.
“During an initial meeting last year, Mr. Jeffries did not even come close to resembling the master’s degree-educated individual, who was just nine years earlier the chief executive officer of a publicly traded company,” said Brian Bieber, Jeffries’ lawyer. Doctors concluded that he suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s, raising doubts about his ability to understand legal proceedings.
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If Jeffries is found incompetent to stand trial, the charges against him could be dropped. However, his partner, Smith, and the alleged middleman, James Jacobson, may still face prosecution.
