Question
What evidence was found at Epstein’s homes during the 2019 searches?
Answer
On July 6, 2019 — following Epstein’s arrest at Teterboro Airport — federal agents from the FBI and prosecutors from the Southern District of New York executed search warrants on Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse at 9 East 71st Street. The search produced important evidentiary material.
Key Items Reported in Court Documents
Photographs: Prosecutors stated in filings that agents found “hundreds of photographs” of what appeared to be nude or partially nude young women and girls — some of which were described as “suggestive” material involving minors. The photographs were stored throughout the property, including in safes.
Recording Equipment: Agents found equipment consistent with a surveillance and recording system. The presence of this equipment aligned with victim testimony about being filmed at the property.
A Discovered Safe: Reports indicated that a compact safe opened during the search contained additional materials, including what was described as compact discs with labels indicating they contained recordings.
Epstein’s Passport Collection: Among the items found was a passport — subsequently identified as one of the fraudulent Austrian passports — with Epstein’s photograph but a different name and a Saudi residence address.
Other Documents: Financial records, personal correspondence, and other documents relevant to the trafficking investigation were also seized.
Charging Impact The discovery of photographic and recording materials allowed prosecutors to add charges related to child sexual exploitation material to the sex trafficking charges already filed. The passport discovery supported additional examination of Epstein’s travel and identity document practices.
Sources
- Southern District of New York charging documents, July–August 2019
- Government bond and bail hearing filings referencing searches
- Reporting on search contents from legal correspondents at major outlets