The SDNY Prosecution Overview
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) filed an eight-count indictment against Jeffrey Epstein on July 6, 2019, just before his arrest at Teterboro Airport.
The indictment charged:
- Sex trafficking of minors — one count
- Sex trafficking conspiracy — one count
- Related travel and conspiracy counts
The charges carried penalties of up to 45 years in federal prison.
The Prosecution Team
The case was handled by senior SDNY prosecutors with significant financial crime and sex trafficking experience:
- Audrey Strauss (later Acting US Attorney) — supervised the case at the senior level
- Alison Moe and Maurene Comey — lead trial prosecutors
- Alex Rossmiller — among trial team investigators
The Evidence Strategy
SDNY prosecutors had assembled significant evidence by July 2019:
- Testimony from at least four named victims willing to testify
- Flight logs documenting Epstein’s travel with victims
- Financial records showing payments consistent with trafficking operations
- Physical evidence from the Manhattan mansion and other properties
- Communication records
Why SDNY Could Prosecute After the 2008 NPA
The critical legal argument was that the 2008 Florida NPA did not cover federal charges in the Southern District of New York, since:
- The NPA was negotiated with the Southern District of Florida
- The SDNY had independent jurisdiction
- New victims and new conduct had been discovered beyond what was covered by the Florida deal
After Epstein’s Death
When Epstein died in August 2019, the criminal charges against him were dismissed — charges cannot continue against a deceased defendant.
However, SDNY continued pursuing related investigations:
- The prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell in the same court
- Investigation of potential co-conspirators
- Financial investigations into Epstein’s network
The Maxwell Connection
The same SDNY prosecutors who had charged Epstein then charged Ghislaine Maxwell in July 2020. Many of the witnesses intended for an Epstein trial became witnesses against Maxwell instead.