Draft Indictment Detailed Epstein's Alleged Crimes Against Minors

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A 2007 draft federal indictment against Jeffrey Epstein detailed a series of sex crimes he was accused of committing against more than a dozen teenage girls over a six-year period, including telling one 16-year-old victim that 'bad things could happen to her' if she reported what had occurred at his home. The 32-count, 56-page indictment was never filed, and Epstein instead pleaded guilty to a much lesser state charge, serving about 13 months in a local jail.

Why it matters

The draft indictment provided a window into the extensive crimes that federal prosecutors had built a case against Epstein for, before agreeing to a lenient plea deal that allowed him to avoid decades in prison. It raised questions about the decision-making process that led to the controversial plea bargain and Epstein's light sentence.

The details

The draft indictment laid out a 'conspiracy to procure females under the age of 18' to go to Epstein's house in Palm Beach, where he would 'engage in lewd conduct' with the minors in exchange for money. Some of the victims were asked to recruit other underage girls. The document detailed Epstein's pattern of interactions with teenagers dating back to 2001, including instances where he had two girls with him at the same time and paid them several hundred dollars afterward.

• The draft indictment was prepared by federal prosecutors in 2007.
• Epstein ended up pleading guilty to a much lesser state charge in 2008, serving about 13 months in a local jail.

What’s next

The draft indictment was never filed, and the full details of the federal case against Epstein may continue to be scrutinized as part of ongoing investigations and efforts to understand the decision-making process that led to the controversial plea deal.