Palm Beach Co. Grand Jury Indictment: Single Count

PALM BEACH COUNTY GRAND JURY INDICTMENT Case: State of Florida v. Jeffrey E. Epstein Court: 15th Judicial Circuit Court, Palm Beach County In July 2006, the Palm Beach County grand jury returned a single indictment against Jeffrey Epstein on one count of solicitation of prostitution — a dramatically lesser charge than the four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor recommended by the Palm Beach Police Department. BACKGROUND: - Palm Beach PD Detective Joseph Recarey identified over 30 victims - Police recommended four counts of unlawful sex with a minor (second-degree felony) - State Attorney Barry Krischer presented the case to the grand jury - Grand jury returned only one count of solicitation of prostitution SIGNIFICANCE: The single-count indictment was widely criticized by law enforcement, victim advocates, and legal commentators as a failure to prosecute. Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter took the extraordinary step of writing directly to victims' families informing them that his department had recommended more serious charges. Reiter subsequently referred the case to the FBI, which opened a federal investigation. The grand jury proceeding became a focal point of later investigations into how the Epstein case was handled at the state and federal levels. Source: Palm Beach County Circuit Court Records Available at: https://www.courtlistener.com/