SDNY’s 1-800-Call FBI poster in their US v. Jeffrey Epstein case with US Attorney Geoffrey Berman and the FBI’s William F. Sweeney, Jr. in the background at this morning’s press conference.
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on Saturday, July 6, 2019 for sex trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by the Southern District of New York (SDNY). During a DoJ press conference today, the FBI’s William F. Sweeney, Jr. made a comment which had me in tears.
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb) used his power on the Judiciary Committee to open an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s case in Florida.
Most survivors will never hear anyone deliver Mr. Sweeney’s powerful, affirming words because the perpetrators in our lives are no longer living or will never be prosecuted due to his power, influence, and connections:
Preserving the innocence of children is one of the most important responsibilities we carry as adults. Purposely failing children in any way is not an option. Yet, there are some in society who have chosen to blatantly disregard this responsibility using whatever means they have at their disposal to lure children into a life which they should never have been exposed. As we allege today, Jeffery Epstein is one of those people.
Jeffrey Epstein’s $77 million mansion in New York City which the federal government intends to seize along with other property.
At approximately 5:30 PM on Saturday evening, we arrested him at Teterboro Airport without incident. Epstein has been charged with one count each of sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy. . .he is alleged to have sexually exploited and abused dozens of minor girls at his homes in NYC and in Palm Beach, FL. . .dozens of victims were as young as 14 years old. . .a man more than or nearly three times their age.
Jeffrey Epstein with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 1997.
Those who have been victimized by child sexual predators are frequently haunted by memories of these crimes well into their adulthood ~ often for the rest of their lives. They bear the burden of someone else’s criminal behavior. Too often adults in our society have turned a blind eye to this type of criminal behavior alleged here. We have seen the excuses. The ignorance of many who didn’t even bother to understand that this behavior is a persistent scourge against our society’s vulnerable youth, and the willful blindness as to who the real villains are in this type of outrageous crime. The villains are the adult perpetrators ~ not the children.
Maureen Comey Ryan (Jim Comey’s daughter) is part of the team prosecuting Jeffrey Epstein. She is with her mother Patrice Failer Comey at the Women’s March in 2017.
Victims of child sex trafficking come from all walks of life. . .to the victims who may be listening or get word of today’s charges, the team standing here before you. . .make it their mission to listen to every individual who has been exploited and to advocate for the most vulnerable among us. . .to put predators behind bars where they belong regardless of the predator’s power, wealth, or perceived connections. . .
There never was nor will there be an excuse for this kind of behavior. We know that reliving these events can be brutal. We are here to work side-by-side with you as you go through this process. You should know that in the eyes of the FBI, you come first. . .
Epstein’s Palm Beach estate where he engaged in sex crimes with young girls. His plea deal in Florida required him to register as a sex offender.
Jeffrey Epstein is powerful, and he has friends in very high places. He got a slap on the wrist in Florida, but the Public Corruption Unit of the DoJ in the SDNY is prosecuting him now. The team includes Jim Comey’s daughter Maureen. Investigative reporters at the Miami Herald were credited for assisting the DoJ.
Will Epstein’s victims receive justice? Dunno.
Epstein’s plane which has been dubbed the “Lolita Express” was allegedly used to fly powerful sexual predators to sexual encounters with young girls.
Attorney General William Barr’s father hired Epstein to teach at the private Dalton School in NYC despite the fact that Epstein hadn’t graduated from college. He’s also buddies with Trump who has his own outstanding allegations of statutory rape. There have been rumors he met the young girl via Epstein. The guy who gave Epstein a slap on the wrist is the current Secretary of Labor, Alex Acosta.
Maybe this is why Epstein’s case has been assigned to the Public Corruption Unit. They investigate public officials. This is a sex crimes case. The DoJ doesn’t want us to read too much into this, but how can we not? The good news is that the FBI secured a “vast” trove of evidence including nude photos of young girls during a search of Epstein’s Manhattan home.
If you want to hear Mr. Sweeney’s comments, click here for MSNBC’s video of the press conference.
Anne Caroline Drake 