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Palm Beach Police Department Probable Cause Affidavit

The probable cause affidavit from the Palm Beach Police Department's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, which formed the basis for the initial criminal inquiry.

Palm Beach Police Department
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Overview of the Affidavit

The Palm Beach Police Department's probable cause affidavit represents one of the earliest and most important pieces of evidence in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Prepared in May 2006 by Detective Joe Recarey of the Palm Beach Police Department, the affidavit documented the findings of a local investigation that began in March 2005 and would ultimately lead to the federal case against Epstein.

The affidavit was the product of an investigation that identified at least 36 underage victims and documented a systematic pattern of sexual abuse at Epstein's residence at 358 El Brillo Way in Palm Beach, Florida. It stands as a testament to the thoroughness and determination of the Palm Beach police investigators who pursued the case even when higher-level authorities proved reluctant to act.

How the Investigation Began

The Palm Beach Police investigation was initiated in March 2005 when a woman contacted the department to report that her 14-year-old stepdaughter had been taken to Epstein's home and paid $300 for a sexual encounter. The initial complaint was assigned to Detective Recarey, who began what would become a year-long investigation.

Recarey's investigation quickly expanded as the first victim identified other girls who had been taken to Epstein's home. Each interview led to additional names, revealing a network of victims who had been recruited through a word-of-mouth system in which existing victims were paid to bring new girls to the residence.

The investigation was notable for several reasons:

Persistence despite obstacles. The Palm Beach Police Department is a relatively small agency — the town of Palm Beach has a permanent population of approximately 8,000 — and the investigation of a billionaire with extensive legal resources and political connections was unprecedented for the department.

Victim-centered approach. Detective Recarey and his colleagues employed a patient, methodical approach to interviewing underage victims, many of whom were initially reluctant to cooperate. The investigators earned the trust of victims through repeated contact and by demonstrating genuine concern for their well-being.

Corroborating evidence. In addition to victim testimony, the investigation gathered physical evidence, including items from Epstein's home, financial records showing cash payments, and phone records documenting communications between Epstein's staff and victims.

Key Findings Documented in the Affidavit

The probable cause affidavit detailed a consistent pattern of conduct described by multiple victims:

The Recruitment Process

Victims described being recruited by other girls who told them they could earn money by providing "massages" to a wealthy man in Palm Beach. The recruiter — often another underage girl who had herself been victimized — would arrange transportation to Epstein's residence. Victims were typically between 14 and 16 years old at the time of recruitment, and many came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Massage Pretext

Upon arriving at Epstein's residence, victims were directed to a massage room on the second floor by household staff. Epstein would appear wearing only a towel and direct the victim to perform a massage. The encounters would then escalate to sexual contact, with Epstein directing increasingly explicit acts.

Cash Payments

After each encounter, victims were paid in cash — typically between $200 and $300 — and were asked to recruit other girls. Victims who brought new girls to the residence received additional payments, creating a financial incentive structure that expanded the pool of victims.

The Role of Staff

The affidavit documented the involvement of Epstein's household staff in facilitating the abuse. Staff members answered the door, led victims to the massage room, and in some cases arranged transportation. Several staff members were identified by name in the investigation, though some names were redacted in public versions of the documents.

The Scale of Abuse

By the conclusion of the investigation, Detective Recarey had identified at least 36 girls who had been brought to Epstein's residence for sexual encounters. Many were under 18 at the time. The investigation suggested that the pattern of abuse had been ongoing for years before the first victim came forward.

The Trash Pull Evidence

One of the most significant investigative techniques employed by the Palm Beach police was a "trash pull" — the collection and examination of garbage left outside Epstein's residence for pickup. This evidence, which does not require a warrant when left at the curb for collection, yielded items that corroborated victim accounts, including personal items and materials consistent with the activities described by victims.

The trash pull evidence was important because it provided physical corroboration for the testimonial evidence, strengthening the probable cause determination.

Based on the affidavit and the evidence gathered during the investigation, the Palm Beach Police obtained a search warrant for Epstein's El Brillo Way residence. The search yielded additional evidence, including:

  • Photographs
  • Electronic media
  • Message pads documenting contacts with young women
  • Personal journals and address books
  • Items from the massage room consistent with victim descriptions

The evidence seized during the search would later be referenced in both the federal investigation and in court proceedings spanning more than a decade.

Referral to the State Attorney and Grand Jury

Following the investigation, the Palm Beach Police presented their findings to the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office in 2005. The police recommended that Epstein be charged with multiple felony counts, including sexual battery on a minor — charges that could have resulted in significant prison time.

However, the State Attorney's office, under Barry Krischer, declined to file the felony charges recommended by police. Instead, Krischer presented the case to a grand jury in a manner that resulted in a single charge of solicitation of prostitution — a charge that victims' advocates and the police department viewed as grossly inadequate given the evidence of systematic abuse of minors.

The Palm Beach police, frustrated by the State Attorney's decision, took the unusual step of referring the case directly to the FBI in 2006, bypassing the state system entirely. This referral triggered the federal investigation that would lead to the 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement and, eventually, to the 2019 federal indictment in New York.

Detective Recarey's Role

Detective Joe Recarey became a central figure in the Epstein investigation and a vocal advocate for the victims. He continued to work the case and cooperate with federal investigators even after the initial state prosecution disappointed. Recarey's work was later recognized as exemplary by victims' advocates and investigative journalists.

Tragically, Detective Recarey passed away in May 2018 at the age of 50 — just months before the renewed federal investigation would lead to Epstein's arrest. He did not live to see the federal charges he had worked to build support for.

Chief Michael Reiter's Advocacy

Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter also played a significant role in pursuing the case. When the State Attorney's office failed to bring adequate charges, Reiter personally communicated his department's concerns to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office. He later testified and provided information to investigators and journalists working on the case.

Reiter's willingness to challenge the decisions of higher-ranking officials and to advocate publicly for the victims was unusual for a local police chief and reflected the department's conviction that the evidence warranted serious criminal charges.

Significance of the Affidavit

The Palm Beach Police probable cause affidavit is significant for several reasons:

It documented the first comprehensive investigation. The affidavit was the first law enforcement document to systematically describe Epstein's pattern of abuse, the recruitment network, the role of staff, and the scale of victimization.

It showed what local law enforcement could achieve. Despite limited resources and significant obstacles, the Palm Beach Police conducted a thorough investigation that identified dozens of victims and gathered substantial evidence — work that formed the foundation for all subsequent proceedings.

It highlighted institutional failures. The contrast between the police investigation's thoroughness and the State Attorney's inadequate prosecution became a central narrative in the Epstein case, raising questions about the influence of wealth and connections on the criminal justice system.

It remains a primary source. The affidavit and related police documents continue to be cited in legal proceedings, journalism, and academic analysis of the Epstein case.

Sources and Further Reading