1998: Epstein Purchases Little Saint James
- Jeffrey Epstein purchases the 70-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands for $7.95 million, developing it into a secluded luxury retreat with a mansion, cottages, and other structures.
2005–2008: Initial Investigations
- 2005: Authorities in Palm Beach, Florida, begin investigating Epstein following allegations of him sexually abusing underage girls.
- 2008: Epstein pleads guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution in Florida. He serves 13 months in jail but continues to visit Little Saint James after his release.
2011–2015: Allegations Surface
- Survivors and witnesses, including Virginia Giuffre, publicly allege that Epstein trafficked minors to the island, referring to it as a hub for his illicit activities. The location begins to draw media attention as the site of alleged abuse.
July 2019: Epstein Arrested
- Epstein is arrested on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors. The arrest reignites scrutiny of Little Saint James as one of the alleged sites where victims were transported and abused.
- FBI agents raid the island shortly after Epstein's arrest, searching for evidence of sex trafficking operations and illicit financial dealings.
August 2019: Epstein’s Death
- Epstein dies in his Manhattan jail cell under suspicious circumstances, officially ruled a suicide. Legal proceedings shift to his estate and associates.
2020: Ghislaine Maxwell Arrested
- Maxwell, Epstein’s close associate and alleged accomplice, is arrested and charged with aiding Epstein’s trafficking operations. Testimonies during her trial implicate Little Saint James as a central location for the exploitation of victims.
2020–2021: Legal Action Against Epstein's Estate
- Survivors file lawsuits against Epstein’s estate, citing the island as a site of abuse. Epstein's assets, including Little Saint James, are targeted to provide compensation to victims through a victim compensation fund.
2022: Maxwell Convicted
- Maxwell is convicted on multiple counts of sex trafficking and conspiracy, with evidence and testimonies presented about her role in facilitating crimes on the island.
2023–2024: Sale of the Island
- The Epstein estate agrees to sell Little Saint James and an adjacent property, Great Saint James, to fund settlements with survivors and creditors. The properties are sold to a private buyer.
Ongoing: Public and Legal Interest
- Investigations into others potentially involved in crimes on Little Saint James continue, with unsealed documents revealing names of individuals associated with Epstein’s activities.
Little Saint James has transitioned from a luxurious retreat to a symbol of exploitation and criminality, remaining a subject of legal and public scrutiny long after Epstein's death.