In a shocking, yet relieving turn of events, multi-millionaire and notorious buyer of sex, Jeffrey Epstein, has finally been indicted in the state of New York for his involvement in the sex trafficking and exploitation of teenage girls. He was arrested on Saturday, July 6 and soon after, investigators searched his Upper East Side townhouse only to uncover additional evidence of his sexual obsessions with young women.
It is reported that hundreds, and possibly thousands of “sexually suggestive” photos including content with nude and partially nude underage girls have been salvaged. Found within a locked safe, it appears that Mr. Epstein also maintained digital copies of these items on various CDs with titles like “Girl pics nude”, further implicating his lack of innocence and lack of repentance in the area of sexual deviancy.
Epstein’s questionable extra-curricular activities were first examined by federal prosecutors in Florida in 2008, however, Epstein remained practically unscathed by the original 53-page indictment that involved multiple illegal ventures like persuading minors to engage in prostitution, conspiring to transport minors across state lines for the purpose of sexual solicitation, and the recruitment of a minor across state lines to engage in commercial sex acts, ranging from 2001 to 2007.
With the help of Alexander Acosta, Trump’s current Secretary of Labor, Epstein served a mere 13 months in jail, where he reportedly spent six days out of the week in his downtown office as part of his “work-release privileges”. In addition to protecting himself, the deal arranged in 2008 also protected his unidentified accomplices who reportedly planned, executed, and sometimes participated in many of his sexual excursions.
His victim count is close to the hundreds and continues to rise, and while many of his victims choose to remain anonymous, one survivor has voiced how this corruption of justice has impacted her life.
Michelle Licata, who was sexually abused by Epstein at 16, expresses frustration about how his previous indictment was handled, saying, “How come people who don’t have money get sent to jail—and can’t even make bail—and they have to do their time and sit there and think about what they did wrong? He had no repercussions and doesn’t even believe he did anything wrong.’’
Most of Epstein’s victims, likely between the ages of 13 and 16, were procured maliciously, promising many of the young girls that they would be paid cash for massages. Once in his grasp, most women report that sensual massages were only the beginning of their abuse.
Most of Epstein’s victims, likely between the ages of 13 and 16, were procured maliciously, promising many of the young girls that they would be paid cash for massages.
Jena Lisa-Jones was molested by Epstein at the age of 14 and expressed that she beats herself up mentally and physically when she thinks about what happened to her. “You can’t ever stop your thoughts. A word can trigger something. For me, it is the word ‘pure’ because he called me ‘pure’ in that room and then I remember what he did to me…”
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Epstein would typically give the women a few hundred dollars and in return, they faced objectification, indecent exposure, nonconsensual touching, molestation, oral sex, and sometimes rape. It’s also noted that Epstein especially targeted young women from low-income households, making the ploy for money nearly impossible to resist. He also made unfair promises to a lot of his victims, stating that he could help them get into certain colleges or modeling schools.
One victim in particular, Jennifer Araoz, who was recruited for Epstein outside of her performing arts high school at the age of 14, stated that she was preyed upon after her dad’s death. Araoz said that Epstein provided her with money and empty promises about a future acting career. She expressed that she didn’t want the sexual advances but felt powerless to stop him. “I didn’t know if he would get angry or if I didn’t listen what the repercussions would have been … So, I kind of just followed. I was so young, so I didn’t know better.”
Epstein explicitly used his social status, well-connected colleagues, and unlimited financial resources all to feed into his insatiable obsession with underage girls. His perverse desires in combination with his wealth and power elevated him from a neighborhood predator to a despicable, ravenous monster.
This is a man who was willing to do whatever necessary to satisfy his need to sexually manipulate children. His obsession eventually transformed him from a purchaser of sex to a wealthy, privileged pimp when he began convincing the young girls he purchased to sell out their friends, as well.
He began convincing the young girls he purchased to sell out their friends.
In addition to the money the girls were given in return for their abuse, Epstein also promised a “finder’s fee” to any of his victims who were willing to recruit. The middle school and high school girls were highly encouraged and generously compensated for providing other underage victims to Epstein to use at his disposal, creating an “ever-expanding web of new victims”.
Courtney Wild, who was first introduced to Epstein at the age of 14 said, “By the time I was 16, I had probably brought him 70 to 80 girls who were all 14 and 15 years old. He was involved in my life for years.”
She later elaborated on his constant need for sexual attention from underage girls stating, “If I had a girl to bring him at breakfast, lunch and dinner, then that’s how many times I would go a day. He wanted as many girls as I could get him. It was never enough.”
By the time I was 16, I had probably brought him 70 to 80 girls who were all 14 and 15 years old.
The story of Jeffrey Epstein is unfortunately further proof that if you are powerful enough or rich enough, you can do and say just about anything and somehow remain untouched by the justice system in America.
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If it weren’t for the brave and resilient survivors of Epstein’s abuse and their relentless determination to expose him, the full story might never be heard, and justice might never be served. One of the main factors of this case being reopened is due to the Criminal Rights Act that most believe was intentionally violated in order to protect Epstein.
In their conniving efforts to protect a sexual predator, legal officials, like Alexander Acosta, kept the details of Epstein’s highly generous 2008 plea deal under wraps as long as possible to avoid media coverage and ultimately to prevent his victims from fighting back. As if abusing and manipulating children wasn’t enough, Epstein, his entire legal team, his long list of accomplices, and every official involved have collectively chosen to silence these women.
Epstein, his entire legal team, his long list of accomplices, and every official involved have collectively chosen to silence these women.
This unlawful decision robbed every single one of the 30 identified victims (at that time) the chance to face their abuser in court, only further inflicting the abuse and trauma that was caused by Epstein in years past.
“We were purposefully misled into believing that his sentencing [in state court] had nothing to do with the federal crimes he committed against me or the other girls,” explained Courtney Wild.
Jeffrey Epstein is a ruthless monster with no regard for the criminal decisions he’s made, and he must be stopped. With new evidence being uncovered and currently 80 victims identified, it’s hoped by many that Epstein will finally pay the price for the sexual crimes he’s committed. If given the maximum sentence, he could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
“It takes so long until you are able to speak about it. It took me having a daughter and looking at this young, beautiful innocent baby to say I want to speak out about it now. I’m hoping that this will bring out more girls so that they say, Me Too,” said survivor, Virginia Roberts who continued to fight for justice years after his unmerited plea deal in 2008.
Privilege and power have protected this man for far too long. The time has come to speak up and speak out about the harm that Jeffrey Epstein inflicted on innocent children. It is never too late to serve justice and show these women that their stories matter. We must say their names and speak their stories. They are the real heroes in this tragic story of sexual exploitation.
If you are a victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and exploitation, the FBI has requested you reach out using the number 1-800-CALL-FBI.
