It has been dubbed the "Island of Sin".[6][7][8] Little Saint James is also known to locals as "Pedophile Island" and "Orgy Island."[9][10] According to The Independent, "Epstein's island developed a reputation for depravity, and it is alleged that teenage girls were made to take part in orgies on Little St. James."[6]

According to public records, the island was once worth $3 million and owned by a woman who died in a chalet in Switzerland.[11] In 1997, Little St. James was owned by venture capitalist Arch Cummin and was for sale for $10.5 million.[12] In April 1998, a company called L.S.J. LLC purchased the island for $7.95 million, and additional documents showed that Jeffrey Epstein was the sole member of L.S.J.[11][10][13] In 2019, the island was valued at $63,874,223.[14] The island was Epstein's primary residence[2][15] and he called the island "Little St. Jeff".[1][4][7]