Epstein Files Archive

Epstein Island: Little St. James — Investigations, Court Records & Facts

Documented facts about Little St. James — Jeffrey Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, its role in investigations, what court records reveal, and the USVI government action.

Updated February 20, 20266 sources

The Properties

Jeffrey Epstein owned two islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to property records and court filings:

Little St. James — A roughly 70-acre island purchased by Epstein in 1998, according to USVI property records. This was his primary private island residence, featuring multiple structures including a main residence, guest houses, and other buildings, as described in federal court documents and government filings.

Great St. James — A larger neighboring island (approximately 165 acres) purchased by Epstein in 2016, according to USVI property records and reporting by the Associated Press. Development was underway at the time of his arrest in 2019.

For broader context on the Epstein case, see The Epstein Files.

Role in the Investigation

The islands featured prominently in the criminal investigation and subsequent legal proceedings. According to federal prosecutors and court filings:

  • Victims were allegedly brought to Little St. James, where abuse reportedly occurred, according to victim testimony referenced in the USVI Attorney General's complaint
  • The island's isolation was allegedly used to facilitate criminal conduct, according to federal court filings
  • Evidence collection at the properties was part of the federal investigation following Epstein's July 2019 arrest, as reported by the Associated Press

The federal indictment (Case No. 19-cr-00490, SDNY) referenced Epstein's use of residences in multiple locations, including the Virgin Islands, according to the DOJ press release. See our DOJ Epstein Files page for more on the federal prosecution.

USVI Government Action

In January 2020, the U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General filed a civil enforcement action against Epstein's estate, according to the USVI AG's office. The complaint alleged that Epstein had used the islands and USVI-based entities as part of a criminal enterprise. According to the filing, the complaint described how Epstein allegedly brought young women and girls to the islands.

Key developments in the USVI action, according to court filings and verified reporting:

  • The USVI AG alleged that local officials had received complaints about Epstein's activities on the islands
  • The complaint detailed alleged corporate structures Epstein used through USVI-based entities
  • In September 2023, JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay $75 million to the USVI government to settle claims that the bank facilitated Epstein's sex trafficking operation through its banking services, according to Reuters
  • Deutsche Bank separately settled with the USVI for $75 million over similar claims, according to reporting by the New York Times

What We Know

Based on court records, government filings, and verified reporting:

  • Epstein purchased Little St. James in 1998 and Great St. James in 2016, according to property records
  • Federal prosecutors referenced the islands in the criminal case against Epstein
  • The USVI Attorney General filed a comprehensive civil action against Epstein's estate
  • Major financial institutions settled claims related to banking services provided to Epstein's island operations
  • Evidence was collected from the properties as part of the federal investigation, according to the DOJ

What We Don't Know

Despite the investigations and legal proceedings, significant questions remain:

  • The complete record of individuals who visited the private islands — comprehensive visitor logs have not been publicly released
  • The full extent of activities that occurred on the properties
  • Whether all relevant evidence from the islands has been recovered and disclosed
  • The current status and plans for the properties as part of estate settlement
  • Whether additional legal actions related to the islands are forthcoming

Important Context

Much of the public discussion about "Epstein Island" includes speculation and unverified claims. This page documents only facts established through court records, government filings, and verified reporting from major news outlets. Claims about specific activities or individuals present on the islands should be evaluated based on their source documentation.

For information about individuals named in Epstein-related documents, see our page on the Epstein list. For the full case history, explore the timeline.

Primary Sources

  1. USVI Attorney General complaint, January 2020 — vi.gov
  2. Federal indictment, U.S. v. Epstein, SDNY — justice.gov
  3. Associated Press, Epstein properties reporting — apnews.com
  4. Reuters, JPMorgan USVI settlement — reuters.com
  5. USVI property records — vi.gov
  6. New York Times, Epstein island reporting — nytimes.com

For a biographical overview, see Who Is Jeffrey Epstein?. Browse all case documents in our document library, or read the latest news and analysis.

Sources

  1. [1]USVI Attorney General complaint against Epstein estate, January 2020 https://www.vi.gov/attorney-general/ (accessed 2025-01-15)
  2. [2]Federal indictment, U.S. v. Epstein, Case No. 19-cr-00490, SDNY, 2019 https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/1180481... (accessed 2025-01-15)
  3. [3]Associated Press, reporting on Epstein's Virgin Islands properties https://apnews.com/ (accessed 2025-01-15)
  4. [4]Reuters, 'JPMorgan to pay $75 million to U.S. Virgin Islands over Epstein ties,' September 2023 https://www.reuters.com/ (accessed 2025-01-15)
  5. [5]USVI property records, Little St. James and Great St. James https://www.vi.gov/ (accessed 2025-01-15)
  6. [6]New York Times, Epstein island reporting https://www.nytimes.com/ (accessed 2025-01-15)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Epstein Island?
Epstein Island, officially known as Little St. James, is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, approximately one mile southeast of St. Thomas. Jeffrey Epstein purchased the roughly 70-acre island in 1998, according to USVI property records.
What happened on Epstein Island?
According to federal prosecutors, court filings, and the USVI Attorney General's complaint, victims were allegedly brought to Little St. James where abuse reportedly occurred. The island's isolation was allegedly used to facilitate criminal conduct. Specific details come from victim testimony in court proceedings and the USVI government's civil enforcement action.
Who went to Epstein Island?
Flight logs and court documents reference various individuals traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, but being documented as traveling to the region does not imply visiting Epstein's private island or involvement in criminal activity. Specific visitor records from the island itself have not been comprehensively released.
What happened to Epstein Island after his death?
Following Epstein's death in August 2019, both islands became part of estate settlement proceedings. The USVI Attorney General filed a civil enforcement action against the estate in January 2020. JPMorgan Chase settled related claims with the USVI for $75 million in 2023, according to Reuters.
Did Epstein own more than one island?
Yes. Epstein owned two islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Little St. James (approximately 70 acres, purchased in 1998) and Great St. James (approximately 165 acres, purchased in 2016), according to USVI property records and reporting by the Associated Press.