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DOJ Press Release: Epstein Charged with Sex Trafficking (July 2019)

Official Department of Justice press release announcing the arrest and charges against Jeffrey Epstein in Manhattan federal court.

U.S. Department of Justice
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Overview of the DOJ Announcement

On July 8, 2019, the United States Department of Justice issued a press release announcing the arrest and federal indictment of Jeffrey Edward Epstein on charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors. The announcement came from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), which had conducted the investigation alongside the FBI's New York Field Office.

This press release marked the first public statement from the federal government confirming that Epstein — who had largely evaded federal accountability since the controversial 2007 non-prosecution agreement in Florida — would face serious federal charges for his alleged crimes. The announcement sent shockwaves through legal, political, and media circles, given Epstein's connections to prominent figures across multiple sectors of American public life.

Key Details from the Press Release

The DOJ press release outlined the core allegations against Epstein in clear terms:

The charges. Epstein was charged in a two-count indictment with sex trafficking of minors (18 U.S.C. § 1594(c)) and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors (18 U.S.C. § 1594(c)). Each count carried a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years.

The alleged conduct. According to the press release, Epstein "created a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit" from at least 2002 through at least 2005. He allegedly worked with employees and associates to lure minor girls to his residences in Manhattan, New York, and Palm Beach, Florida, where they were subjected to sexual abuse under the guise of providing "massages."

The recruitment scheme. The press release described how Epstein paid victims hundreds of dollars in cash for sexual encounters and how he incentivized some victims to recruit additional underage girls, effectively creating a pipeline of new victims.

The arrest. Epstein was arrested on Saturday, July 6, 2019, upon arrival at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, returning from Paris on his private aircraft. The arrest was executed by agents of the FBI-NYPD Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Evidence seized. Following the arrest, agents executed a search warrant at Epstein's Manhattan residence at 9 East 71st Street. The press release noted that agents discovered a "vast trove of lewd photographs of young-looking women or girls" in a locked safe, including nude and partially nude images.

Officials Quoted in the Release

The press release included statements from several senior officials:

Geoffrey S. Berman, then U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated: "As alleged, Jeffrey Epstein lured young girls into his home and then sexually exploited them." Berman emphasized that the victims described in the indictment deserved their day in court, "and we are proud to be standing up for them by bringing this indictment."

William F. Sweeney Jr., then Assistant Director-in-Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office, stated that the charges "should not be considered a sign that cases like this are beyond the reach of justice." He added that the FBI was continuing to investigate and encouraged additional victims to come forward.

These statements were notable for their emphasis on victim advocacy and their implicit contrast with the handling of the earlier Florida case.

Context: Why the SDNY Prosecution Mattered

The SDNY prosecution was significant for several reasons that went beyond the specific charges:

Jurisdictional independence. The SDNY operates with a degree of independence from DOJ headquarters in Washington, D.C., and has a reputation as one of the most aggressive prosecutorial offices in the country. Its decision to bring charges signaled that the office was willing to pursue the case aggressively, without regard to Epstein's political connections or the complications arising from the earlier Florida plea deal.

The Florida NPA question. A central legal question was whether the 2007 non-prosecution agreement in Florida barred federal charges elsewhere. Epstein's defense was expected to argue that the NPA covered all federal jurisdictions. The SDNY's position was that the agreement was limited to the Southern District of Florida and did not bind other U.S. Attorney's offices.

Renewed investigation. The press release made clear that the SDNY's investigation was independent of the earlier Florida proceedings. It was driven in part by new evidence and by the cooperation of victims who had not previously been identified, as well as by the investigative work of the FBI's New York office.

Public pressure. The prosecution followed extensive investigative journalism, particularly Julie K. Brown's "Perversion of Justice" series in the Miami Herald (November 2018), and Judge Kenneth Marra's February 2019 ruling that the Florida NPA had violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act. These developments had created significant public and political pressure for a new prosecution.

The Bail Fight

Following Epstein's arrest, the case quickly moved to a contentious bail hearing. Epstein's defense team proposed a bail package valued at over $100 million, including his Manhattan mansion as security, surrender of his passports, GPS monitoring, and private security. Prosecutors opposed bail, arguing that Epstein posed an extreme flight risk given his wealth — which they estimated exceeded $500 million — and the severity of the charges.

On July 18, 2019, Judge Richard Berman denied bail, finding that no conditions of release could reasonably ensure Epstein's appearance at trial or the safety of the community. The denial was significant and signaled that the court took the charges — and the risk of flight — seriously.

Aftermath of the Announcement

The DOJ press release triggered a cascade of consequences:

Victim identification. Following the announcement, additional victims came forward to cooperate with the investigation. The press release itself included a hotline number for victims and witnesses to contact the FBI.

Political fallout. Epstein's arrest renewed scrutiny of his relationships with political figures, including former President Bill Clinton and then-President Donald Trump, both of whom had been photographed with Epstein and mentioned in various records. It also brought fresh attention to Alexander Acosta's role in the 2007 NPA. Acosta resigned as Secretary of Labor on July 12, 2019 — just four days after the press release.

Media frenzy. The story dominated national and international news coverage for weeks, with media outlets investigating Epstein's finances, properties, and social connections.

Epstein's death. Just over a month after the press release, on August 10, 2019, Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Manhattan. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging by the New York City Medical Examiner. The death prompted widespread controversy, conspiracy theories, and an investigation by the DOJ Inspector General into the Bureau of Prisons' handling of his detention.

Reading the Press Release

The DOJ press release is a relatively brief document, written in the standard format of a U.S. Attorney's Office announcement. While it lacks the detail of the indictment itself, it provides an accessible summary of the charges and the government's theory of the case. It also reflects the official government position at the time of Epstein's arrest.

For a fuller understanding, the press release should be read in conjunction with the formal indictment, the government's bail memorandum (which contained additional evidentiary details), and subsequent filings in the case. Together, these documents paint a picture of an investigation that was methodical, evidence-driven, and informed by years of prior work by law enforcement, victims' advocates, and investigative journalists.

Sources and Further Reading