Epstein, Guns, and Sex Crimes: A Timeline [Member Exclusive]

As extra paperwork from the investigation into baby intercourse trafficker Jeffrey Epstein are launched, they shine a light-weight on his historical past with gun possession, potential flouting of federal gun legal guidelines, and even his affiliation with key figures in American gun politics.

Jeffrey Epstein owned weapons, maybe dozens, and even held a Florida hid carry license within the lead-up to his first baby prostitution conviction. Even after leaving jail and being barred below state and federal legislation from possessing weapons, emails counsel he maintained a probably unlawful degree of management over weapons on his varied properties, together with his notorious island, whereas he repeatedly tried to regain his gun rights earlier than his second arrest for baby intercourse trafficking.

At varied factors, Epstein thought-about investing in a significant American gun firm, had quite a few connections with the highest funder of the gun-control motion, and even agreed to go taking pictures a number of occasions regardless of his felony conviction. Here’s a complete timeline of what the Epstein Recordsdata reveal concerning the notorious legal’s historical past with firearms.

1991

One of many first dates we’ve in Epstein’s historical past with firearms is 1991. That’s the 12 months he was first issued a hid carry license by the state of Florida, in accordance with a letter within the information.

“A search of our information signifies that this license was initially Issued on March 29, 1991, pursuant to Part 790.06, Florida Statutes,” an official with the Florida Division of Agriculture and Client Providers, which points hid carry licenses, informed a Palm Seashore Police Division detective in 2006. “A renewal discover was despatched to Mr. Epstein at 358 El Brilb Means. Palm Beech, Florida 33480 on December 9, 2004. This license exoiregon March 30, 2005, because of non-renewal.”

2000

The information additionally embrace proof of a searching license that Epstein obtained from the state of Georgia in 2000.

2001

The searching theme continues in 2001. That 12 months, Epstein’s longtime confederate Ghislaine Maxwell emails a redacted recipient inquiring about the place she will get a searching canine in New York. She says her earlier searching canine died and he or she wants one for the New Mexico ranch she lives on–an apparant reference to Epstein’s Zorro Ranch.

“I’m searching for a working searching canine that I can prepare,” Maxwell wrote. “On your data I stay on a working ranch in New Mexico and my Weimaraner not too long ago handed approach. Nonetheless I can be spending the subsequent month or so within the New York space and would recognize a contact identify of a breeder within the neighborhood.”

2002

A weekly report from September sixth, 2002, exhibits Epstein instructing workers to purchase weapons for his varied properties across the nation–together with the Zorro Ranch. It exhibits Epstein directing two completely different workers members to purchase weapons. One is informed to purchase a shotgun for the New Mexico ranch. One other is informed to purchase three handguns to maintain in a number of automobiles. He additionally authorizes workers to purchase a gun secure for his Palm Seashore property.

2003

In October 2003, Epstein accuses considered one of his workers of stealing a Glock and cash from his dwelling in Palm Seashore, Florida.

“Epstein additionally confirmed me the bookcase behind the desk the place he saved his Glock 9 mm handgun between the books which was now lacking. Epstein couldn’t provide me with the serial quantity for the handgun at the moment however suggested he would contact Gator Gun on Okeechobee Blvd. to acquire the data,” a Palm Seashore Police Division officer whose identify has been redacted wrote in a police report.

The worker later admitted to stealing cash from Epstein, however denied taking his Glock. A November 2003 police report exhibits Epstein ended up declining to press expenses in opposition to the workers member and police closed the case with out discovering the gun.

“Please don’t present the Glock hand gun as stolen. Please present this case as **Besides.Cleared** because the id of the suspect was established, to assist an arrest, there was sufficient data to assist an arrest, actual location of the offender is understood and the sufferer declines to prosecute,” the later report from an officer whose identify was additionally redacted reads.

2005

In October 2005, Palm Seashore Police raid Epstein’s Florida dwelling and arrest him on suspicion of getting intercourse with minors. They discover a gun locker in his workplace and a gun secure in a bathe, in accordance with a police report on the search.

2006

On November 12, 2006, Epstein confederate Ghislaine Maxwell is issued a New York Metropolis firearms allow.

On December 12, 2006, an NYPD file exhibits she purchases a Glock 19.

2008

In March 2008, Epstein’s legal professionals, together with Ken Starr, use his gun license to say his visits to Florida weren’t nefarious in a profitable effort to acquire the Federal non-prosecution settlement that later attracts intense scrutiny.

“Mr. Epstein’s gun license, till not too long ago, was a Florida license,” his legal professionals wrote. “He has given generously to charities in Florida. He has met enterprise associates at his Palm Seashore residence. In brief, the proof is indeniable that Palm Seashore was the place Mr. Epstein spent most of his discretionary time, and that his travels to Palm Seashore have been journeys returning to his dwelling—not the escapades of a intercourse vacationer off to some vacation spot inextricably intertwined with the numerous or dominant objective of getting ‘illicit sexual conduct.’ Epstein’s journeys to Palm Seashore have been merely these of a enterprise individual touring dwelling for weekends or stopping over on his solution to or from New York and St. Thomas.”

In June 2008, Epstein pleads responsible to solicitation of an underage prostitute–a lowered cost that lands him simply 18 months in a piece launch program that permits him to go away jail every day.

Earlier than his sentence is even over, Epstein begins planning a taking pictures journey with any individual who’s redacted from the information that the DOJ has launched. Though, proof means that individual might have been Sultan Bin Sulayem–a longtime confidant who additionally deliberate different taking pictures journeys with Epstein after his conviction and whose identify was initially redacted from the entire Epstein information by the DOJ.

2009

In June 2009, whereas nonetheless serving his jail sentence, Epstein asks considered one of his workers, Brice Gordon, if his non-public island wants a bigger secure. Gordon responds that they “have already got gun secure” however he “will look into separate secure for private gadgets.”

In July 2009, after serving simply 13 months, Epstein is launched from jail.

That very same month, a police report included within the information signifies a legislation enforcement officer made contact with Epstein and spot bodyguard was armed. The officer talked about he would focus on the matter together with his supervisor to ensure it was authorized for Epstein to have armed safety. No arrests have been made or expenses filed because of the contact.

A contract from that month additionally warns potential safety personnel that Epstein is a convicted felon who can’t legally possess firearms. It lays out procedures for the way safety guards are to deal with their firearms whereas on Epstein’s property.

“The safety officer shall retailer the firearm in a locked container, cupboard, equipment, gadget, storage room, or closet to which Mr. Epstein doesn’t have the important thing, mixture, or different entry mechanism,” the doc reads.

In November 2009, an NYPD file exhibits Maxwell’s New York pistol allow is canceled after she strikes to Florida.

2010

In March 2010, Epstein receives an replace on gun licenses that his workers, together with Brice Gordon, had utilized for within the US Virgin Islands.

On June 2nd, 2010, Epstein tells Gordon he should transfer weapons to short-term storage throughout his go to since he isn’t legally allowed to own them. A number of days later, on June eighth, Epstein approves a plan to maneuver weapons into storage on an worker named Larry’s property in an obvious effort to keep away from authorized issues. That every one follows a dialog earlier within the 12 months about putting in moveable touchdown strips on the ranch, the place Larry says they are going to assist enhance “Zorro emergency evening operations” and “low visibility ops.”

In September 2010, Epstein asks his lawyer about whether or not he can carry a gun on a searching journey in Africa regardless of being a prohibited individual. He doesn’t specify when or with whom he deliberate to go searching, however he and Sulayem later focus on taking a searching journey to Africa of their emails.

2011

In April 2011, Epstein asks Sulayem to plan a visit to Africa, and Sulayem suggests they go searching in South Africa.

In March 2011, Epstein emails a redacted recipient a notice that he gained’t possess a gun owned by considered one of his workers members.

“this e-mail will affirm , our dialog re the houseman who lives within the workers home being allowed to have a firearm„. It won’t be in the primary home or in my possession , as we mentioned as a result of conviction/felony,” he says.

That’s adopted up in October 2011 with a report from Gaylin Vogel, a lawyer with Hodge & Francois, that explores whether or not it’s authorized for workers dwelling on Epstein’s island to maintain firearms there, regardless of their boss’s legal file. Vogel concludes the reply is sure, however with a number of caveats.

“Facially, the statute doesn’t seem like a prohibition in opposition to a residential worker to buy, use and possess a firearm for that worker’s private use solely,” she wrote. “Nonetheless, the firearm can’t be used or in any approach supported by the coated employer. The coated employer can not in anyway direct using the firearm. The employer can not require the worker to own a firearm. The worker can not take any course from the coated employer with respect to the firearm.”

2012

In April 2012, Epstein seems to counsel his longtime pilot, Larry Visoski, purchase a gun to guard himself whereas staying in St. Thomas, an island close to the one Epstein owned within the US Virgin Islands. The e-mail launched by the DOJ has the recipient’s identify redacted, however it features a earlier e-mail the place the pilot indicators his identify “Larry.” It continues a long-running pattern of Epstein telling his workers to purchase weapons, even after he was not allowed to own them himself.

In August 2012, Sulayem sends Epstein a series e-mail that appears to jokingly assert medical doctors are extra harmful than weapons.

In September 2012, Epstein invited Michael Bloomberg, then New York mayor and longtime main funder of the American gun-control motion, to a non-public occasion at his dwelling. It’s unclear if Bloomberg accepted, however it’s clear Epstein needed the invite saved near the chest–regardless of the pair’s deeper-than-previously-known connections. He admonished his contact with Bloomberg for reaching out by means of his workplace as a result of “until mandatory I all the time want that the less folks that know the higher.”

In October 2012, Julian Leese invitations Epstein to go taking pictures with him at an occasion in Sussex, England. Leese, son of the rich British arms supplier who gave Epstein his first massive break in enterprise, invited Epstein to shoot with him on quite a few events after the 2008 intercourse crime conviction that barred him from possessing weapons.

2013

In January 2013, Epstein discusses shopping for a significant gun distributor with two distinguished hedge fund managers–together with Tom Pritzker.

“united sporting — a gun biz , all massive funds should exit. . 80 million ebitda, 400 mill purhcase,” Epstein emailed Tom Pritzker on January twenty second, 2013.

“Yep, I noticed the identical factor,” Pritzker, a billionaire who ran Hyatt Lodges till only recently and whose cousin is the Governor of Illinois, responded. “Query is whether or not I ought to undergo the slings and arrows that include that sucker.”

A June 2013 insurance coverage schedule exhibits that Epstein had two gun cupboards at Zorro Ranch insured for $57,529.

In October 2013, Epstein emails a US Virgin Islands official asking what the legislation says about him carrying a gun. He claims to really feel unsafe on his island.

“can we discover out if the foundations on carrying a gun . for a felon, ( me ) might be state by state .. I don;t like the concept that I an on the island with no safety in any respect. . two drug boats working close by final evening,” Epstein wrote.

He concludes he would possibly want a courtroom order.

2014

In October 2014, Epstein asks considered one of his legal professionals within the Virgin Islands to find out whether or not he can have his gun rights restored.

“are you able to researc= to see if the governor can restore my civil rights and permit me to personal a g=n?” he asks.

A number of days later, he concludes one of the simplest ways to take action could be to undergo Florida’s rights restoration course of.

“i’ve to look additional however it seem s that if i’m a degree one f=lon, ( non violoent in florida they’re simply restored. ). have a look restoration of civil rights gun. florida,” he says.

The information launched by DOJ don’t point out if he ever went by means of with making an attempt to have his rights restored by Florida.

2015

In February 2015,  a 25-year-old feminine whose id has been redacted asks Epstein to pay for her to take an intensive gun coaching course in Michigan. Nonetheless, Epstein rejects the concept and tells her she must get a job as an alternative.

In December 2015, Julian Leese invited Epstein to go taking pictures with him within the new 12 months.

“One favor PLEASE come taking pictures subsequent 12 months,” Leese stated to Epstein on the day after Christmas 2015. “Two weeks in the past we shot 611 pheasant,naturally I shot like a God!!!!! X”

“positively,” Epstein responded.

2017

An April 2017 e-mail outlines Epstein’s plan to exterminate the deer on his island, Little Saint James (LSJ).

“Kill all Deer’s -Danny V. have Arrows and Shot gun simply want a weekend on LSJ,” a bullet level on an agenda considered one of his workers despatched him reads.

2018

In August 2018, workers inform Epstein there was a theft at Zorro Ranch. They report that dozens of weapons are lacking from one of many safes on the property.

“We took further pictures of the weapons with the serial numbers, make & mannequin if it was obtainable ( reference the prevailing Stock Listing ). In line with what weapons are accounted for to what’s on the checklist, we’re lacking 33 weapons,” a Zorro worker whose identify has been redacted emails administration, together with Epstein.

By September 2018, a number of of the weapons that have been thought to have been stolen are recovered at Brice Gordon’s home, together with an AR-15. A few of Epstein’s workers are suspicious of the circumstances surrounding the theft.

On November twenty third, 2018, Epstein and Julian Leese focus on the latter’s current taking pictures journey with a lady he claims to have “skilled’ to hold his tools.

“Images o= the women ,final one is of Gia dressed to go taking pictures,” Julian informed Epstein. “She has been prepare=d to hold my cartridges and gun, I’m happy along with her obedience coaching= contemplating she is from North America!!!!!”

“good work my boy,” Epstein replied.

On November twenty seventh, 2018, Epstein asks considered one of his legal professionals to as soon as once more pursue getting his gun rights restored. He drafts language for them to show right into a letter to the

“Jeffrey epstein . I hereby grant a full’ pardon restoring gun r=ghts civil rights. and eradicating all restrictions usvi requireme=ts or any native consequence that flowed from the conviction 10 years. in the past i= the state of florida? part and part.. .&nb=p; He served his sentence and since has had no violations . Mr epsetin has maintained a “clear r=wire” since his violation in 2008. He has maintaine= his native charitiable giving.”

The subsequent day, the Miami Herald publishes a complete investigation of Epstein’s crimes and the sunshine therapy he obtained after his first conviction. It reignites curiosity in Epstein’s abuses and results in a renewed investigation into the allegations in opposition to him.

On December 2nd, Epstein is informed the governor of the US Virgin Islands can’t pardon him or restore his gun rights since his preliminary conviction occurred in Florida.

“However doesn’t he have t=e proper to to exempt one from any vi legislation” he askes.

“No,” his lawyer responds.

On December thirty first, 2018, Epstein agrees to go taking pictures with Leese in Argentina someday in the course of the subsequent 12 months.

“One favor PLEASE come taking pictures subsequent 12 months,” Leese stated to Epstein on the day after Christmas 2015. “Two weeks in the past we shot 611 pheasant,naturally I shot like a God!!!!! X”

“positively,” Epstein responded.

2019

On July sixth, 2019, federal brokers arrest Epstein on expenses of intercourse trafficking of minors.

On August tenth, 2019, Epstein is discovered useless in his Manhattan jail cell.

On August twelfth, 2019, brokers search Little Saint James for proof. They recuperate two Glock pistols. In some copies of the proof sheet launched by the DOJ, the names written subsequent to the Glocks are redacted. Nonetheless, in others, they aren’t.

2020

On July 2020, longtime Epstein confederate Ghislaine Maxwell is arrested by federal brokers on quite a few intercourse crime expenses. Over the subsequent two years, she’ll be convicted and sentenced to twenty years in jail.