After multiple underage girls in Florida reported that they were being paid by a mystery man to have sex with middle-aged men, and all roads led back to Epstein's mansion, the FBI launched an investigation in 2006. A report from The Guardian noted that federal prosecutors "identified 40 young women who may have been illegally procured by Epstein," which easily should have resulted in Epstein spending years in prison if as many as half of the women testified against him.

Epstein was also caught running a child sex ring, in which he hosted rape parties for his wealthy friends on his private jet, the Lolita Express, and on his private island, which was referred to as "Orgy Island."