Recent releases of court documents have once again cast a spotlight on the notorious Jeffrey Epstein and his network. While the documents reveal names and connections to the convicted sex offender, public curiosity remains intensely focused on one location in particular: Little St. James, Epstein’s private island. This 72-acre island, nestled in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has become synonymous with the darkest allegations surrounding Epstein. So, What Did Jeffrey Epstein Do In The Island, and why has it become such a central, and disturbing, part of his legacy?
Locating the Infamous Island: Little St. James
To understand the island’s significance, it’s crucial to pinpoint its location. Little St. James is situated approximately two miles off the coast of St. Thomas, a US Virgin Island in the Caribbean. This secluded location, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, provided Epstein with a degree of isolation that allegedly facilitated his criminal activities. Epstein’s business interests in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including his stake in Hyperion Air, further cemented his presence in the region. A harbor employee recounted to CBS News in 2020 the regular use of a boat marked with “LSJ” – Little St. James – for transporting staff and provisions to the island, highlighting its self-contained nature.
Despite Epstein’s philanthropic gestures towards U.S. Virgin Islands officials and educational institutions, local sentiment wasn’t universally positive. As U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George stated in a 2020 interview with CBS News, “I don’t think he was regarded as an upstanding member of the community.” His prior sex offender registration was public knowledge, casting a long shadow over his island paradise.
Allegations Unveiled: Activities on Epstein’s Island
Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 arrest on sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, preceding his death in prison, brought the alleged activities on Little St. James into sharp focus. Attorney General George, who initiated a lawsuit against Epstein’s estate after his death, described the island as a haven for concealing his criminal behavior. The lawsuit ultimately resulted in a $105 million settlement for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
George explained that Epstein’s method of operation involved flying into St. Thomas via private jet, a tactic she believed aided in “concealment.” From St. Thomas, Hyperion Air helicopters were reportedly used to transport “young women and underage girls between St. Thomas and Little St. James,” as detailed in her lawsuit. This air bridge facilitated the movement of victims to and from the island, reinforcing its role as a central location in his alleged crimes.
Witness Testimonies: Piecing Together the Island’s Reality
Beyond legal filings, witness accounts paint a disturbing picture of Little St. James. Air traffic controllers and airport staff reported observing Epstein in the company of girls who appeared to be pre-teens, raising alarm bells even before formal investigations. Attorney General George highlighted the physical barriers to intervention, noting that authorities were often denied entry at the island’s dock, emphasizing Epstein’s control: “Remember, he owns a whole island. So it wasn’t a situation where a child or a young woman would be able to just break away and run down the street to the nearest police station.”
One harrowing detail from the lawsuit recounts a 15-year-old alleged victim’s attempt to escape Little St. James by swimming, underscoring the sense of entrapment and desperation experienced by some. Another alleged victim, speaking anonymously to CBS News, described being taken to St. Thomas and sexually assaulted by Epstein in his office there, and further detailed being “trapped… in his bedroom on the island where he had a gun strapped to his bedpost. I couldn’t leave. The only means of getting off the island was either helicopter or boat.” These testimonies reinforce the allegations that Little St. James was not just a private retreat, but a place where victims were allegedly exploited and controlled.
“Pedophile Island” and Public Perception
The disturbing nature of the allegations led to Little St. James being branded with the grim moniker “Pedophile Island.” This label, while shocking, reflects the widespread public perception of the island as a key location in Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking operation. Even prior to the full extent of the allegations becoming public, local charter boat captain Jim Query told CBS News in 2020 that there were rumors of Epstein receiving a lenient sentence in his earlier Florida case, creating a sense of impunity around his activities.
The flight logs of Epstein’s private jet, nicknamed “Lolita Express,” which have been previously released, further support the connection between the island and his alleged crimes. The logs reveal frequent flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands, suggesting regular trips to Little St. James with potentially illicit purposes.
The Future of Little St. James
In a move to sever ties with its dark past, Little St. James, along with the neighboring Great St. James island, was sold in May to billionaire Stephen Deckoff for $60 million. Deckoff, founder of private equity firm Black Diamond Capital Management, intends to transform the islands into a luxury resort, slated to open in 2025. This ambitious project aims to create a “state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort,” according to a press release.
While the development of a luxury resort marks a new chapter for Little St. James, the island’s history remains indelibly linked to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein. The question of what did Jeffrey Epstein do in the island is answered by a grim narrative of alleged exploitation and abuse. As Little St. James is reimagined for a different future, the revelations of its past serve as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and justice.
