The Investigation Timeline
The SDNY investigation that led to the July 2019 indictment was opened in or around 2018, following the Miami Herald’s November 2018 “Perversion of Justice” series. Prosecutors built a case based on evidence from Epstein’s New York properties.
The July 2019 Search
On the day of Epstein’s arrest at Teterboro Airport, SDNY executed a search warrant at his East 71st Street townhouse. The search recovered hundreds of sexually explicit photographs of underage girlsevidence that formed a central part of the case.
The Charging Strategy
The indictment charged Epstein with one count of sex trafficking conspiracy and one count of sex trafficking. The federal charges addressed his New York conduct, which was not covered by the 2008 Florida NPA, avoiding double jeopardy concerns.
The Case Ends
The prosecution ended with Epstein’s death on August 10, 2019. The government filed a nolle prosequi (voluntary dismissal). The full case that SDNY had built was never presented at trial.