The Original Investigation
Palm Beach Detective Joe Reiter was assigned the case after a parent reported that their underage daughter had been paid for massage sessions at Jeffrey Epstein’s estate. Reiter conducted an extensive investigation.
The Investigative Work
Reiter and PBPD officers:
- Interviewed dozens of victims and witnesses
- Conducted surveillance of the Epstein estate
- Identified the recruitment network including female recruiters
- Built a documented case of sexual abuse of minors
The Case He Built
By 2006, Reiter’s investigation had documented abuse of approximately 40 girls. He submitted a referral to federal authorities recommending federal prosecution on more serious charges than the state could pursue.
The Frustration
Reiter has given interviews describing frustration with the outcome. The case he built careful, victim-centered, well-documented was converted into a plea deal that he and other officers believed was inadequate.
His Continued Statement
Reiter continued to speak publicly about the inadequacy of the outcome. He remained committed to the victims’ accounts and his assessment of the seriousness of the crimes that were documented.