Days after accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein died of a reported suicide in a Manhattan jail, federal agents are searching his home in the Virgin Islands.
Multiple news outlets are reporting that FBI agents and a U.S. Attorney task force are at the private island owned by Epstein, dubbed “Pedophile Island” due to the sex trafficking allegations against Epstein. Investigators are reportedly searching his estate there.
BREAKING / NBC News: Two senior law enforcement officials say that the FBI and members of the task force belonging to the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office focusing on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation are searching his home in the Virgin Islands.
Reported w/ @jonathan4ny
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) August 12, 2019
Federal agents, including FBI and CBP were seen on the dock and grounds of Little Saint James, the island owned by accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Attorney's Office and SDNY declined to comment on the operation. https://t.co/euCLwh7rKi pic.twitter.com/leAKQqgruA
— ABC News (@ABC) August 12, 2019
ABC News reports that the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the law enforcement activity. It is unclear at this time if an operation was planned before or after Epstein’s death.
Epstein was arrested on July 5 and suspicion of sex trafficking, and was ordered held without bail until his trial.
His apparent suicide while in federal detention has prompted widespread criticism and speculation.
This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.