Uncovered: Epstein's 2007 Sex Trafficking Indictment Draft Reveals Shocking Details
Epstein’s victims have long denounced the failure of federal prosecutors in Florida to indict him in 2007, saying their inaction enabled the abuse of women.
Newly released Justice Department documents have shed light on a shocking 2007 draft indictment against Jeffrey Epstein, which would have charged him with sex trafficking minors. The indictment, prepared by federal prosecutors in Florida, accused Epstein and three of his employees of abusing girls as young as 14. The draft indictment, which included 60 counts, also implicated two of Epstein's companies, which owned his private jets.
According to the documents, an FBI agent testified to a grand jury in May 2007 about how Epstein allegedly groomed girls for sexualized massages. The agent also discussed the case with prosecutors, including Assistant US Attorney Marie Villafana, who drafted a 53-page indictment and an 82-page prosecution memo. However, the grand jury was never asked to vote on the draft indictment, and Epstein ultimately pleaded guilty in 2008 to two less serious prostitution charges in state court.
The decision not to pursue federal charges has been widely criticized by Epstein's victims, who say it enabled the abuse of hundreds of women. Attorney Brad Edwards, who represented about 200 Epstein victims, said, "Had the Southern District of Florida gone forward with that proper indictment, it would have saved a lot of people.
