Research Layer / Timeline
Timeline
2006 → 2026, the documented sequence of the criminal case and its aftermath. Sourced to public records, court filings, and credible reporting.
Epstein was a convicted sex trafficker. Maxwell was convicted. The trafficking was real, the victims were real. This timeline documents what happened, when, according to the public record. It is not a defense of Epstein.
2006 March
Palm Beach Police investigation begins
Palm Beach Police begin an investigation after a mother reports her 14-year-old daughter was paid for sexual massages at Epstein's mansion.
Source: Palm Beach Police Department report; Miami Herald investigative series
2006 May
State charges filed
Epstein is charged with unlawful sex acts with a minor by Palm Beach Police. The state attorney's office later reduces the charges.
Source: Palm Beach Police Department
2007 October
Federal Non-Prosecution Agreement
Federal Non-Prosecution Agreement (NPA) signed by Alexander Acosta, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Epstein pleads to state charges (solicitation of prostitution, procuring a minor for prostitution), serves 13 months in county jail with work release, and registers as a sex offender. The NPA is kept secret from victims.
Source: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; Miami Herald
2008 June
Guilty plea to Florida state charges
Epstein pleads guilty to Florida state charges. He is sentenced to 18 months in county jail with work release and serves 13 months.
Source: Palm Beach County court records
2008 November
Sex offender registration
Epstein registers as a sex offender in Florida.
Source: Florida sex offender registry
2010
Giuffre files civil suit against Maxwell
Virginia Giuffre files a civil lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell alleging defamation and sex trafficking. The case is settled in 2017.
Source: U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
2014
Giuffre names associates in court filings
Virginia Giuffre names Prince Andrew, Alan Dershowitz, and others in court filings. All deny the allegations.
Source: Giuffre v. Maxwell court filings
2015
Giuffre defamation suit against Maxwell
Virginia Giuffre files a defamation suit against Ghislaine Maxwell. The case is settled in 2017.
Source: U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
2018 November
'Perversion of Justice' published
The Miami Herald publishes 'Perversion of Justice,' an investigative series by Julie K. Brown, detailing the NPA and victim accounts. The reporting sparks public outrage and a renewed federal investigation.
Source: Miami Herald
2019 July 6
Epstein arrested at Teterboro Airport
Epstein is arrested at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on federal sex trafficking charges.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice; SDNY indictment
2019 July 8
Federal indictment unsealed
The federal indictment is unsealed. Epstein is charged with sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking conspiracy. The indictment identifies dozens of victims.
Source: SDNY indictment
2019 August 10
Epstein found dead in federal custody
Epstein is found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. The official cause of death is suicide by hanging. His death sparks widespread conspiracy theories.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General; NYC Chief Medical Examiner
2019 August
MCC guards charged
Two MCC guards are charged with falsifying records and conspiracy for failing to properly monitor Epstein.
Source: SDNY
2020 July 2
Ghislaine Maxwell arrested
Ghislaine Maxwell is arrested in New Hampshire on federal charges of enticement of minors, sex trafficking, and perjury.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
2021 December 29
Maxwell convicted
Ghislaine Maxwell is convicted on six counts, including sex trafficking of a minor.
Source: SDNY; jury verdict
2022 June 28
Maxwell sentenced
Ghislaine Maxwell is sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Source: SDNY
2022 August
Giuffre lawsuit against Prince Andrew settled
Virginia Giuffre's civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew is settled for an undisclosed sum. Prince Andrew denies all allegations.
Source: U.S. District Court, SDNY
2023 January
Unsealing of Giuffre v. Maxwell documents begins
The unsealing of Giuffre v. Maxwell documents begins. Names of associates, witnesses, and accused individuals become public.
Source: U.S. District Court, SDNY
2024 January
Full unsealing of Giuffre v. Maxwell documents
Approximately 950 pages of Giuffre v. Maxwell documents are fully unsealed.
Source: U.S. District Court, SDNY
2024 July 2
Maxwell conviction upheld on appeal
Maxwell's conviction is upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Source: Second Circuit Court of Appeals
2025 January
DOJ begins release of Transparency Act materials
The DOJ begins releasing materials under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. 3.5 million pages are released in phases.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
2025 July
DOJ/FBI memo on blackmail and client list
DOJ/FBI memo released: 'no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals' and 'no incriminating client list found.' The FBI found 'no basis to predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.'
Source: DOJ/FBI memo, July 2025
2025 November
Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law
The Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) is signed into law, mandating full document release.
Source: White House
2026 January
DOJ Epstein Library launched
The DOJ Epstein Library is launched. 3.5 million pages are organized into 12 data sets: court records, flight logs, contact books, FBI and police reports, financial ledgers, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos.
Source: DOJ Epstein Library
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Legal framing: This timeline documents the public record of the Epstein case. It does not assert guilt for any uncharged individual. Sources are primary documents or credible reporting; follow the source links to verify.