USA v. Epstein — Bail Denial Order by Judge Berman

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK Case No. 19-cr-490 (RMB) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER DENYING BAIL BERMAN, District Judge: The Court has carefully considered the Government's memorandum, the defense bail proposal, the Pretrial Services report, the testimony and evidence presented at the July 15, 2019 bail hearing, and the parties' supplemental submissions. For the reasons set forth below, the defendant's application for bail is DENIED. BACKGROUND On July 6, 2019, defendant Jeffrey Epstein was arrested upon his return from Paris, France. On July 8, 2019, the Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment charging Epstein with sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of minors. PROPOSED BAIL PACKAGE The defense proposed a bail package valued at approximately $77 million, consisting of: (a) Epstein's New York mansion at 9 East 71st Street, valued at approximately $77 million; (b) electronic monitoring via GPS ankle bracelet; (c) home detention at the residence; (d) a personal recognizance bond co-signed by other financially responsible persons; and (e) surrender of travel documents and deregistration of defendant's aircraft. THE COURT'S ANALYSIS Under the Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e), a rebuttable presumption of detention arises in cases involving offenses described in 18 U.S.C. § 1591. DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY The Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community. The indictment charges extremely serious conduct — the sexual exploitation and abuse of dozens of minor girls over a period of years. The evidence presented by the Government, including contemporaneous records, corroborating witness testimony, and physical evidence recovered during the execution of search warrants, is strong. RISK OF FLIGHT The Court also finds that the defendant poses a significant flight risk. Epstein possesses vast financial resources, maintains international connections, holds a foreign passport, and has access to private aircraft. The discovery of a locked safe containing loose diamonds, an expired foreign passport with Epstein's photograph but a different name, and large amounts of cash further supports this finding. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, the defendant's bail application is DENIED. SO ORDERED. Dated: July 18, 2019 HON. RICHARD M. BERMAN United States District Judge Source: U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y. — PACER Available at: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16363526/united-states-v-epstein/