The Informal Name
Locals and media began referring to Little St. James Island as ‘Pedophile Island’ or simply ‘the island’ as a reference to Epstein’s trafficking operations there. The informal name spread as the case became public.
Why the Name
The name reflected the allegations that the island was used as a site for sexual abuse of minors the legal definition of pedophilia (or more accurately, the statutory age-based offenses). The name was pejorative shorthand for what the island allegedly represented.
The Actual Name
The island’s formal name is Little St. James Island, located in the US Virgin Islands east of St. Thomas.
The Island’s Public Notoriety
The island became one of the most Googled locations during the 2019 Epstein coverage. Aerial photographs of the island were widely circulated, with particular attention to the unusual blue-striped structure and various architectural features.
Current Status
Following Epstein’s death, the island was sold through estate administration. The island is privately owned and has undergone assessment and redevelopment planning.