Editing Jeffrey Epstein (section)

=== Sex crimes ===
In March 2005, a woman contacted the Palm Beach Police Department and reported that her 14-year-old step-daughter had been taken to Epstein's residence by an older girl (possibly [[Ghislaine Maxwell]], Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking partner) to strip and massage Epstein.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/timeline-of-the-life-and-crimes-of-jeffrey-epstein/ Timeline Of The Life And Crimes Of Jeffrey Epstein], ''CBS New York''</ref><ref>[https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-and-ghislaine-maxwell-abused-14-year-old-and-sent-her-victorias-secret-lingerie-court-hears ‘I Told Him I Was Only 15’: Epstein Victim Weeps As She Recounts Orgies With Other Girls], ''The Daily Beast''</ref> She had allegedly undressed, but left only to her underwear. Police began an 11-month undercover investigation of Epstein, followed by a search of his home. The FBI became involved as well. Police forces stated that Epstein had paid several to perform sexual acts on him. Interviews with five reported victims and 17 witnesses under oath, and evidence found in his residence suggested that his victims were below the age of consent. The police search of Epstein's home found numerous photographs of girls, albeit not legally defined as [[Child Pornography|child pornography]]. Some of the girls photographed were interviewed by law enforcement officials.

The ''International Business Times'' reported that papers filed in a 2006 lawsuit had allegations which suggested Epstein hid cameras and filmed underaged girls engaging in sexual activity with prominent people, for the purpose of blackmailing. Epstein allegedly organized girls to have sex with prominent people for also such. In 2015, it was reported that one of the criminals involved in the child sex ring may have been a royal family member; Prince Andrew, Duke of York.<ref>[https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a28339290/royal-family-prince-andrew-jeffrey-epstein-relationship/ The Royal Family's Troubling Connection to Jeffrey Epstein], ''Town & Country''</ref> A former employee told the police that Epstein would receive massages three times a day. Eventually the FBI received accounts from 36 girls whose allegations of molestation by Epstein included overlapping details.

The investigation resulted in a 53-page federal indictment. Alexander Acosta, then the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, organized a plea deal for Epstein, along with four co-conspirators and any unnamed "potential co-conspirators". The plea deal put the investigation to a stop and sealed the indictment. Epstein agreed to plead guilty to state prostitution charges, register as a sex offender, and pay a reimbursement to nearly three dozen child victims reported by the FBI.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-florida-e2a4431f7319afd037023d9a586aa291 Justice Dept.: ‘Poor judgment’ used in Epstein plea deal], ''AP News''</ref>

The Palm Beach Police department recommended that Epstein be charged with four counts of unlawful sex with minors and one count of child molestation. In June 2008, he plead guilty to one charge of child prostitution and as a result was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He however was allowed to leave daily for 16 hours each.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/02/usa.internationalcrime1 Epstein: US billionaire jailed for soliciting underage sex], ''The Guardian''</ref>

On July 6<sup>th</sup>, 2019, Epstein was arrested for sex trafficking charges.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-charges.html What charges did Jeffrey Epstein face?], ''The New York Times''</ref><ref>[https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-arrested-for-sex-trafficking-of-minors-source Jeffrey Epstein Arrested for Sex Trafficking of Minors], ''The Daily Beast''</ref> Many of his charged crimes apparently occurred in Little Saint James, a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands owned by Epstein.<ref name = Island>[https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/07/horrors-of-jeffrey-epstein-private-island The Horrors of Jeffrey Epstein’s Private Island], ''Vanity Fair''</ref> He was held at Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, and due to what was declared an attempted suicide, was put on suicide watch. However, he was dropped from suicide watch shortly after.