Little St. James Island, located in the United States Virgin Islands, has been the sinister scene of the crimes committed by tycoon Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 after facing accusations of sexual abuse of minors.
Nicknamed “the island of pedophilia,” Epstein transformed it into a place where he perpetrated his crimes, serving as the epicenter of a sex trafficking and perversion network.
Revelations about this island have emerged through declassified court documents in connection with a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s main accusers, against Ghislaine Maxwell, the magnate’s former lover and partner. These documents provide chilling details about activities on the island, with mentions of emails, statements from victims and witnesses.
Access to Little St. James involved the use of Epstein’s private plane, known as the “Lolita Express,” which carried both the mogul and his select guests, who included celebrities, models, filmmakers and politicians. The island became infamous as a meeting place for dark events and illegal activities.
The island’s main building, designed by architect Edward Tuttle, is just part of the mystery surrounding Little St. James. A small temple built between 2009 and 2013 has baffled many as its purpose remains unclear. Although some speculation suggests it could have been a synagogue due to Epstein’s Jewish religion, this has never been confirmed.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of the women who accused Epstein, described the island as “orgy island,” emphasizing the disturbing nature of the events taking place there. Employees on the island were subject to strict confidentiality clauses, and were ordered to stay away from the villa.
In May 2023, Epstein’s islands, including Little St. James, were sold for $60 million to an investment group led by billionaire Stephen Deckoff. They plan to develop a luxury resort on the site, marking the end of an era marked by Epstein’s infamy and crimes on this island formerly known as “pedophile island.”
