Cecily Zamora
Jeffrey Epstein's private island, Little St. James, was a 70-78 acre haven in the US Virgin Islands, where the billionaire sex offender committed many of his crimes against minors. Epstein owned the island from 1998 until his death in 2019, and it was nicknamed Pedophile Island by locals. Epstein's guests, who were flown in on private jets and helicopters, included celebrities, scientists, and members of royal families. The island was the subject of a criminal complaint from the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands, who described it as the perfect hideaway and haven for trafficking young women and underage girls for sexual servitude, child abuse and sexual assault. The complaint also alleged that Epstein controlled all communication with the outside world and prevented young women and girls from leaving freely. Despite the island's notoriety, and multiple attempts by authorities to investigate, Epstein's wealth and power allowed him to conceal his criminal activities for many years.
What You'll Learn
Epstein's island was a hideaway for trafficking
Little St James, the island owned by Jeffrey Epstein, was a "perfect hideaway and haven for trafficking young women and underage girls for sexual servitude, child abuse and sexual assault", according to a criminal complaint from the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands.
The island was described as a place where Epstein and his associates could avoid detection and prevent these young women and underage girls from leaving freely and escaping the abuse. Epstein's private jet and helicopters also helped with the concealment of his crimes.
The island was the centre of a worldwide grooming scheme in which recruiters targeted young women, played on their fears, and forced them to have sex with clients while keeping them in line with threats and blackmail, according to a lawsuit filed by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Prince Andrew's accuser.
The lawsuit described the island as one step in a global web of private flights that ferried sex trafficking victims to several locations around the world.
The Virgin Islands attorney general's office made similar claims, saying: "Between 2001 and 2019, the Epstein Enterprise transported underage girls and young women to the Virgin Islands, who were then taken via helicopter or private vessel to Little St James where they were deceptively subjected to sexual servitude, forced to engage in sexual acts and coerced into commercial sexual activity and forced labour."
The island was also the site of an alleged escape attempt by a 15-year-old girl, who tried to swim away, according to the lawsuit. She was recaptured by a search party organised by Epstein, who confiscated her passport.
Epstein's island was also the subject of speculation, with theorists describing the "temple", a blue and white striped structure, as the entrance to an underground lair, an altar to an Egyptian deity, a burial ground, or a site of ritual sexual abuse. However, an investigation by Business Insider concluded that it was most likely a private study and music room for Epstein.
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Epstein's guests arrived by helicopter
The guests would be shuttled to Little St James, Epstein's 70-78 acre private island, which he bought in 1998 for just under $8 million. Epstein called the island "Little St Jeff", but locals referred to it as "Paedophile Island". Epstein's primary residence was on the island, and he employed around 70 staff there.
Guests reportedly included celebrities, scientists, and members of royal families. Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, comedian Chris Tucker, Victoria's Secret magnate Les Wexner, model Naomi Campbell, former Tony Blair aide Lord Peter Mandelson, and Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom are all said to have been hosted by Epstein. It has also been claimed that Bill Clinton was a guest, although he denies ever having been there.
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Epstein's staff were sworn to secrecy
The staff were also instructed not to enter Epstein's line of vision while carrying out their work. They were forbidden from entering either of his two offices in the main manor, one of which contained a closely guarded steel safe. Epstein's enthusiasm for "pirate treasure" led him to pay his servants between $100 and $1,000 for interesting finds in good condition, such as old rum bottles and crockery.
The staff of about 70 included groundskeepers, gardeners, laundry ladies, and on-call boat captains. They were required to sign confidentiality agreements that banned them from talking to law enforcement and mandated that they report any inquiries to Epstein.
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Epstein's island was searched by the FBI
Epstein's Island, officially known as Little St James, was searched by the FBI in August 2019, following the death of its owner, Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, had been charged with sex trafficking conspiracy and one count of sex trafficking with underage girls. He died by suicide in a New York prison before facing trial.
Little St James is a small, private island located in the US Virgin Islands, southeast of St Thomas. Epstein owned the island from 1998 until his death in 2019. During this time, it acquired nicknames such as "Island of Sin", "Pedophile Island", and "Orgy Island", reflecting the dark activities that allegedly took place there. Epstein's primary residence, the island was a secluded and discreet location, allowing him to conceal his criminal activities from law enforcement.
The FBI search of Epstein's Island was part of the ongoing investigation into Epstein's sex trafficking ring, which involved the abuse of young women and underage girls. According to court documents, Epstein and his associates lured and transported victims to the island, where they were subjected to sexual servitude and abuse. The island's isolated location made it difficult for victims to escape, as it was owned entirely by Epstein and surrounded by water.
The search of Epstein's Island yielded further evidence of the extent of Epstein's crimes and his high-profile connections. The investigation also led to the conviction and sentencing of Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein, who was found guilty of sex trafficking and other charges related to the recruitment of young girls for Epstein's sex trafficking ring.
The fate of Little St James remained uncertain for a while, with the government of the US Virgin Islands seeking control of Epstein's assets. Eventually, in May 2023, the island was sold to a wealthy investor, Stephen Deckoff, for $60 million. There are plans to transform the island into a luxury resort, shedding its dark past and offering a fresh start for the secluded location.
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Epstein's island was sold for $60 million
Little St James, the island once owned by billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was sold for $60 million in May 2023. The island, located in the US Virgin Islands, was bought by private equity mogul Stephen Deckoff, founder of private equity firm Black Diamond Capital Management. Deckoff plans to develop a 25-room luxury resort on the property, with an opening date projected in late 2025.
The sale of the island comes after a period of limbo following Epstein's death in 2019. Epstein's ownership had cast a dark shadow over the island, despite its natural beauty. It was well known that Epstein had used the island as part of his sex trafficking ring, with several young women stating in court papers that they had been taken to the island via private jet and forced to perform sexual acts with Epstein and other men.
The island, which spans over 70 acres, includes a helipad, private dock, gas station, high-capacity water filtration, 2 pools, the main compound, 4 guest villas, 3 private beaches, a gym, and a tiki hut. Epstein had also constructed several bizarre structures on the property, including a blue-striped, box-like building that initially had a golden dome. The purpose of this construction is unclear, as it deviates from the plans for a music pavilion that had been submitted for approval by Epstein's architects.
The purchase price of $60 million reflects a steep discount from the initial asking price of $125 million when the islands were first listed in March 2022. The listing figure was later reduced after no buyers materialised.
Deckoff, who has a net worth of $3 billion, plans to construct a "state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort" on the property, according to a press release. He pledged that the project will bring economic benefits to the region while also respecting its local culture and natural beauty.
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Frequently asked questions
Little St. James Island was owned by Jeffrey Epstein and was used by him to conceal his criminal activity, including the sexual abuse of minors.
The usual laws of the U.S. Virgin Islands applied to the island. However, Epstein's wealth and power allowed him to conceal his criminal activity.
The "Lolita Express" was the nickname given to Epstein's private jet.
The "temple" was a blue and white striped structure that differed from the plans Epstein had submitted for approval. It was speculated to be an entrance to an underground lair, an altar, a burial ground, or a site of ritual sexual abuse. However, an investigation by Business Insider concluded that it was most likely a private study and music room for Epstein.
The island was sold to a wealthy investor in May 2023 for less than half of its original asking price, with the intention of turning it into a luxury resort.
