Palm Beach Police Arrest Jeffrey Epstein on Felony Solicitation Charges

Palm Beach police began investigating financier Jeffrey Epstein in March 2005 after the family of a 14-year-old girl reported she was sexually abused at his mansion. After identifying multiple underage victims, a grand jury indicted Epstein in July 2006 on a single felony count of soliciting prostitution — a charge that local police leaders publicly criticized as far too lenient given the scope of the allegations. Dissatisfied with the state handling, Palm Beach police referred the case to the FBI, which launched "Operation Leap Year" and ultimately identified 36 victims.