Draft Epstein Indictment Detailed Crimes Against Over a Dozen Girls

The unsealed document showed federal prosecutors were prepared to charge Epstein with extensive sex trafficking and enticement of minors before he cut a lenient plea deal.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 2:47am

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A draft 2007 indictment against Jeffrey Epstein, which was never filed, accused him of a series of sex crimes against more than a dozen teenage girls over a six-year period. The 32-count, 56-page document detailed how Epstein and his employees allegedly procured underage girls, some as young as 14, to engage in lewd conduct at his Palm Beach home in exchange for money. However, federal prosecutors ultimately agreed to a lenient plea deal that allowed Epstein to serve just 13 months in county jail.

Why it matters

The release of the draft indictment sheds light on the extent of Epstein's alleged crimes and the controversial plea deal that allowed him to avoid harsher federal prosecution. It raises questions about the decision-making of former U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta, who later became Labor Secretary before resigning amid the outcry over his handling of the Epstein case.

The details

The draft indictment alleged that Epstein and his employees engaged in a 'conspiracy to procure females under the age of 18' to visit his Palm Beach home, where he would 'engage in lewd conduct' with them in exchange for money. It described how Epstein would call girls, often from the same high school, and arrange for them to come to his house, where he would then lead them upstairs to his bedroom. Epstein was also accused of telling one 16-year-old victim that 'bad things could happen to her' if she reported the abuse.

  • The draft indictment covered alleged crimes from 2001 to 2007.
  • Federal prosecutors prepared the draft indictment in 2007 but never filed it.
  • In 2008, Epstein instead cut a plea deal with state prosecutors, serving just 13 months in county jail.

The players

Jeffrey Epstein

A financier accused of sex crimes against more than a dozen teenage girls over a six-year period.

R. Alexander Acosta

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida at the time, who supported the lenient plea deal with state prosecutors rather than pursuing federal charges against Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“At the time, Mr. Acosta said he supported the deal with state prosecutors, because taking Mr. Epstein to trial to seek a more severe sentence would have been 'a roll of the dice.'”

— R. Alexander Acosta, Former U.S. Attorney

The takeaway

The release of the draft Epstein indictment underscores the extent of his alleged crimes and the controversial decision-making that allowed him to avoid harsher federal prosecution. It raises serious questions about the handling of high-profile sex crimes cases and the need for greater accountability in the justice system.