Epstein Investigation Timeline

U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta signs a controversial non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with Epstein, granting him immunity from federal sex trafficking charges and extending immunity to unnamed co-conspirators.

Attorneys Brad Edwards and Paul Cassell file a lawsuit under the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA) on behalf of Epstein's victims, arguing that the NPA violated victims' rights by not consulting them.

Jeffrey Epstein pleads guilty to two state charges of soliciting prostitution, including one involving a minor. Under the plea deal, he receives an 18-month sentence.

Epstein begins serving his 18-month sentence at the Palm Beach County Stockade, where he is granted work release privileges allowing him to leave for up to 12 hours a day, six days a week.

Virginia Roberts (later Giuffre) files a lawsuit against Epstein, describing a pattern of abuse and alleging she was trafficked to prominent individuals while underage.

Jeffrey Epstein is released from the Palm Beach County Stockade after serving 13 months of his 18-month sentence, registering as a sex offender.

Virginia Giuffre files a defamation lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell after Maxwell publicly called Giuffre a liar regarding her allegations of sex trafficking.

The indictment against Epstein is unsealed, charging him with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, alleging a network spanning 2002-2005.

Federal judge Richard Berman denies Jeffrey Epstein's request for bail, ruling that he poses a danger to the community and a flight risk, noting the discovery of a locked safe containing cash, diamonds, and an expired foreign passport.

The federal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell begins in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Prosecutors allege she recruited and groomed underage girls for Epstein.

Ghislaine Maxwell is found guilty on five of six counts, including sex trafficking of a minor. The jury deliberated for five full days before returning the verdict.

Judge Alison Nathan sentences Ghislaine Maxwell to 20 years in federal prison for her role in recruiting and grooming teenage girls for Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse.

Deutsche Bank agrees to pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of facilitating Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation by providing banking services despite knowledge of his criminal conduct.

JPMorgan Chase agrees to pay $290 million to settle a class-action lawsuit by Epstein's victims who alleged the bank facilitated Epstein's sex trafficking by maintaining his accounts despite red flags.

The U.S. Virgin Islands settles its own separate lawsuit against JPMorgan for $75 million over the bank's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, who owned a private island in the territory.