Epstein Purchases Little Saint James Island, U.S. Virgin Islands
Jeffrey Epstein purchases Little Saint James, a 75-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, for approximately $7.95 million. The island, located near St. Thomas, becomes the center of his trafficking operation and the location most associated with his crimes. It is later nicknamed 'Pedophile Island' in media coverage.
People Involved
In approximately 1998, Jeffrey Epstein purchased Little Saint James, a 75-acre private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, approximately one mile off the southeastern tip of St. Thomas. The purchase price was reported at approximately $7.95 million.
Over the following years, Epstein invested tens of millions of dollars in developing the island, constructing a main residence, guest structures, underground facilities, and distinctive blue-and-yellow-striped structures whose purpose was the subject of extensive speculation. The island had its own airstrip capable of handling small private aircraft and a private dock.
Little Saint James became one of Epstein’s primary residences and was the location to which he brought many victims — including Virginia Giuffre, who described her experiences there, and numerous other survivors who testified about being brought to the island.
The island’s remote, private nature — accessible only by boat or small plane — gave Epstein extraordinary control over who was present and what could be documented or witnessed from outside. U.S. Virgin Islands government officials granted Epstein favorable tax treatment, which became the basis for the USVI’s sweeping 2019 civil lawsuit against his estate.
After Epstein’s death, Little Saint James was listed for sale as part of estate asset liquidation. The structures were largely demolished before the sale. The island was acquired by a buyer in 2023.