After Jeffrey Epstein's July 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, the FBI identified exactly 10 individuals as co-conspirators who were being actively tracked, located, and served with grand jury subpoenas. Internal FBI emails from the investigation document this specific list, with an August 15, 2019 FBI memo providing detailed descriptions of each person's role in Epstein's sex trafficking operation. A less redacted version of the same memo reveals additional names, including Leslie Wexner as the "wealthy business man in Ohio." However, only Ghislaine Maxwell was ultimately prosecuted, convicted in December 2021 on five counts related to sex trafficking of minors and currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The question of what happened to Epstein's other co-conspirators—and why they escaped prosecution—remains central to understanding how his criminal enterprise operated with impunity for decades.
The 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement#
The legal foundation for co-conspirator immunity was established in the 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement (NPA) negotiated by U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta for the Southern District of Florida. The NPA specified: "the United States also agrees that it will not institute any criminal charges against any potential co-conspirators of Epstein, including but not limited to Sarah Kellen, Adriana Ross, Lesley Groff, or Nadia Marcinkova." This sweeping immunity provision extended not only to the four named individuals but to "any potential co-conspirators," creating what federal prosecutors would later describe as an unprecedented blanket protection.
A November 2020 Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) report found that prosecutors in 2007 believed "the only 'co-conspirators' of Epstein who would benefit from the provision were the four female assistants identified by name," but acknowledged the broader language could theoretically protect others. The OPR report concluded that while prosecutors used "poor judgment," they did not commit professional misconduct in negotiating the deal.
After Epstein's 2019 arrest in New York, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York took the position that it was not bound by the Florida NPA, allowing federal prosecutors to pursue Maxwell. However, the NPA's immunity provisions and the passage of time created significant obstacles to prosecuting other co-conspirators.
The FBI's 10 Identified Co-Conspirators (2019)#
Primary Co-Conspirators
The FBI's August 2019 co-conspirator memo divided the 10 individuals into "primary" and "secondary" categories based on the strength of evidence against them.
Co-Conspirator #1 (Identified as Sarah Kellen)
The FBI described this individual as "currently living in NYC but owns homes in both Miami and North Carolina" who "served as Epstein's personal assistant and traveled with him most of the time wherever he went." According to victim testimony documented in the memo:
- Arranged massage appointments from New York City
- Served as direct supervisor to other assistants, instructing them to set up appointments, conduct background research on girls, make follow-up calls, and tell girls to recruit more girls
- Multiple victims stated this person paid them directly for "massages," sometimes providing transportation
- Took photos of partially nude girls, some stored in binders possibly seized from Epstein's NYC residence
- Instructed staff to remove evidence from Epstein's residence and provide it to a private investigator during the 2005-2006 Palm Beach investigation
- Instructed staff to remove massage-related phone books from the USVI home and shred them
- One victim reported this person was present with Epstein during massages on two separate occasions
Sarah Kellen (born Sarah Lyn Kensington, 1979) has been described by a federal judge as "criminally responsible" for Epstein's sex trafficking but was never charged. She claimed through her attorney that she was herself a victim of Epstein's abuse and was forced to participate to keep her job. By 2019, she had married NASCAR driver Brian Vickers and was living in North Carolina. The FBI served her with a grand jury subpoena in July 2019, and she cooperated with prosecutors, providing information on other co-conspirators including Marcinkova and Maxwell.
Co-Conspirator #2 (Partially Redacted)
The memo describes this person as "currently living in Florida" who "assisted in arranging massage appointments in Florida and traveled with JE as his personal assistant." The FBI noted this individual had been cooperating and "during a proffer she provided the information described above on [redacted], as well as information on co-conspirators Marcinkova and Maxwell."
Co-Conspirator #3 (Identified as Lesley Groff)
Described as "currently living in Connecticut," multiple victims and cooperating co-conspirators stated this person:
- Worked out of Epstein's NYC residence as his personal assistant
- Was in charge of making phone calls to set up massage appointments
- Would coordinate with the main NYC victim listed in the indictment to schedule appointments and relay information to Epstein
- Would call victims to ask if they had any new girls for Epstein
- Sometimes paid the victims directly
Lesley Groff served as Epstein's executive assistant for nearly 20 years and appears frequently in released emails managing logistics, including scheduling meetings with prominent figures. The FBI noted she had a "reverse proffer" scheduled in September 2019 and was deciding whether to cooperate. Her attorney later stated that Groff had voluntarily spoken with prosecutors, answered all questions, and was told she was not being prosecuted. She has consistently denied knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.
Ghislaine Maxwell
Ghislaine Maxwell (born 1961), British socialite and daughter of media tycoon Robert Maxwell, was described in the FBI memo as "one of Epstein's Property Managers" and "considered one of the main co-conspirators in the case." The memo noted that in August 2019, investigators had "limited information regarding Maxwell's involvement, however, other co-conspirators are likely to have pertinent details which will surface if/when they cooperate."
Maxwell was "currently living in Boston MA" when served with a grand jury subpoena in July 2019. Her "reverse proffer date" was set for September 2019, though she never cooperated. The FBI noted "at least one employee observed her recruit a victim in the case."
Arrested in July 2020 in New Hampshire, Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 on five of six counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, and conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. She was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in June 2022. Maxwell has appealed her conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing she was protected by the 2007 NPA, though this argument was rejected by lower courts.
Secondary Co-Conspirators
Co-Conspirator #5 (Partially Redacted, New York-Based)
The memo states this person "currently resides in NYC" and that "SDNY is currently in contact with his attorneys and a subpoena has been served." The FBI noted "there is limited evidence regarding his involvement."
Jean-Luc Brunel
Jean-Luc Brunel (1946-2022), French modeling agent and founder of MC2 Model Management, was described in the FBI memo as:
- Owner of MC2 model agency
- SDNY was in contact with his attorneys and a subpoena had been served
- "There is limited evidence regarding his involvement"
Brunel had been accused in a 1988 CBS 60 Minutes investigation of sexual misconduct involving models. He met Ghislaine Maxwell in the 1980s, and she introduced him to Epstein. In 2005, Epstein financed the founding of MC2, reportedly providing at least $1 million. Multiple victims testified that Brunel helped recruit girls for Epstein through the modeling industry.
Brunel was arrested in Paris in December 2020 on charges of rape of minors and trafficking. He was found dead in his prison cell on February 19, 2022, in what French authorities determined was suicide by hanging.
Co-Conspirator #7 (Identified as Nadia Marcinkova)
Described as "currently living in London and has been there since approximately 2011," this person was "not a US citizen" and the FBI had "drafted an FDR requesting assistance from Legat London to arrange an interview." The memo stated "currently there is limited evidence regarding her involvement but information indicates she facilitated massage appointments."
Nadia Marcinkova, also known as Nadia Marcinko and "Global Girl," was allegedly brought to the United States from Slovakia around 2000 when she was approximately 14-15 years old. Court documents and victim testimony described her as Epstein's "sex slave" who was sometimes directed to participate in sexual activity with victims. After receiving immunity in the 2007 NPA, Marcinkova became a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor, founding a company called Aviloop (later renamed). She has never testified publicly about her time with Epstein and was reportedly living in New Hampshire as of 2020.
Leslie Wexner
Leslie Herbert Wexner (born 1937), billionaire founder of L Brands (Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works), was identified in the less-redacted FBI memo as residing in Ohio. The memo stated:
- "SDNY is currently in contact with his attorneys and a subpoena has been served"
- "There is limited evidence regarding his involvement"
Wexner retained Epstein as his financial manager from 1987 to 2007 and was initially Epstein's "main client" according to Bloomberg. Epstein ran his business from Wexner's property and acquired the Manhattan mansion (later central to the sex trafficking operation) through a murky transaction with Wexner.
Wexner has claimed that Epstein "stole or misappropriated several hundred million dollars" from him over their decades-long relationship. Victim Virginia Giuffre named Wexner in a deposition as one of the men she was trafficked to. An undated draft message from Epstein to Wexner found in the files discusses their involvement in "gang stuff" for over 15 years and "debts the two owed each other."
Wexner's legal representative stated that prosecutors informed him he was "neither a co-conspirator nor target" and that Wexner cooperated with investigators. He is scheduled to testify before Congress in February 2026.
Other Likely Co-Conspirators#
Beyond the FBI's list of 10, substantial archive evidence suggests other individuals were deeply involved in enabling or facilitating Epstein's criminal enterprise, though they were never formally designated as co-conspirators in the 2019 investigation.
Darren K. Indyke and Richard D. Kahn
Darren Indyke (Epstein's personal attorney) and Richard Kahn (Epstein's accountant) were Epstein's closest financial and legal advisers for decades. They served as co-executors of Epstein's estate and are named in numerous lawsuits alleging they:
- Made payments from Epstein's accounts to alleged sex-trafficking victims and recruiters while Epstein was alive
- Facilitated at least three sham marriages between alleged victims for immigration purposes
- Filed financial statements for Epstein's companies they "knew or should have known" contained false information
- Helped build "the complex web of Epstein's financial holdings" that enabled his crimes
The U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General filed suit against both men in their capacities as executors and administrators of Epstein's estate. In 2024, they reached an undisclosed settlement in a class action lawsuit brought by Epstein's victims. Both men have been subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee and are expected to testify.
Adriana Ross (Adriana Mucinska)
Adriana Ross (also known as Adriana Mucinska), a Polish-born former model, worked as Epstein's assistant particularly in Palm Beach. She was one of the four individuals named in the 2007 NPA and granted immunity.
During a 2010 deposition, Ross refused to answer questions about her activities with Epstein. Flight logs show she traveled frequently on Epstein's aircraft. She has avoided public comment about her association with Epstein and did not respond to requests for comment from journalists investigating the case.
Pilots: Larry Visoski and David Rodgers
Larry Visoski served as Epstein's primary pilot from the early 1990s, piloting both a Gulfstream and the Boeing 727 later nicknamed the "Lolita Express." David Rodgers worked for Epstein for 28 years and kept detailed flight logs that became crucial evidence in Maxwell's trial.
Both pilots were subpoenaed in 2019 and cooperated with prosecutors, providing flight logs and passenger manifests. Visoski testified at Maxwell's trial that he flew Epstein and high-profile passengers including Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, and Kevin Spacey over nearly 30 years. Both pilots testified they never witnessed sexual activity or saw unaccompanied minors on flights. Neither has been accused of knowing participation in Epstein's crimes.
Victim-Recruiters
A particularly troubling aspect of Epstein's operation was his use of victims—some themselves minors—as recruiters who brought other girls into the trafficking network. This created a pyramid-like structure where victims received payment for recruiting new girls.
Haley Robson was 16 years old when she was first approached to give Epstein massages. According to a 2009 deposition, after Epstein tried to grope her, she continued to visit his mansion dozens more times—not for massages, but to bring other girls. She has spoken publicly as a survivor and advocated for transparency regarding the crimes.
The existence of victim-recruiters complicates the co-conspirator question: these individuals were themselves exploited minors who were incentivized to recruit others. Whether they should be considered victims or co-conspirators—or both—remains legally and ethically contested.
Evidence of Coordination and Obstruction#
The FBI's August 2019 memo documents specific acts of evidence destruction and obstruction that occurred during the 2005-2006 Palm Beach Police investigation:
- Removal and destruction of evidence: One co-conspirator "instructed [redacted] to remove evidence from Epstein's residence and provide it to a private investigator so it would not be seized during the search warrant in WPB during the initial investigation"
- Destruction of phone records: The same individual "instructed [redacted] to remove massage related phonebooks from the USVI home and shred them"
- Coordination among co-conspirators: The memo documents how co-conspirators worked in a hierarchical structure, with some serving as supervisors who directed others to schedule appointments, conduct background research, and recruit additional victims
These acts of obstruction—carried out by co-conspirators while Epstein was under active investigation—potentially constitute independent federal crimes including obstruction of justice and witness tampering. However, the 2007 NPA's immunity provisions may have foreclosed prosecution for these acts as well.
The December 2019 Co-Conspirator Prosecution Memo#
A December 2019 prosecution memorandum from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York titled "Investigation into Potential Co-Conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein" analyzed "the extent to which certain of Epstein's associates and employees may or may not be criminally liable for their conduct."
The memo, referenced in later communications, noted that prosecutors had taken "numerous investigative steps since the indictment" including:
- Conducting dozens of witness interviews and proffers
- Executing search warrants
- Reviewing financial records and other documents
- Meeting with attorneys for numerous subjects of the investigation
- Analyzing potential charges against Maxwell and other co-conspirators
The memo specifically analyzed evidence against Leslie Groff and Ghislaine Maxwell, with Maxwell being the only one prosecutors ultimately sought authorization to charge. The full memo reveals the government's assessment that while multiple individuals enabled Epstein's crimes, building prosecutable cases against most of them faced significant evidentiary and legal obstacles.
Why Weren't Others Prosecuted?#
Despite substantial evidence of involvement by multiple individuals, only Maxwell faced criminal charges after Epstein's 2019 arrest. The reasons are complex:
Legal Obstacles
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The NPA's Immunity Provisions: The four named co-conspirators in the 2007 NPA received blanket federal immunity. While the SDNY took the position it wasn't bound by the Florida agreement, Maxwell's unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court argued this immunity should apply nationally, creating legal uncertainty.
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Statute of Limitations: Many of the alleged crimes occurred in the early-to-mid 2000s. By 2019, statute of limitations issues affected what charges could be brought, particularly for crimes that weren't ongoing conspiracies.
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Victim-Perpetrator Complexity: Some co-conspirators, including several of the named assistants, claimed they were themselves victims of Epstein's abuse who were coerced or manipulated into participating. This created prosecutorial challenges in distinguishing between exploitation and criminal culpability.
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Evidentiary Challenges: As the FBI memo noted, there was "limited evidence" regarding the involvement of several individuals, particularly Wexner, Brunel, and others in the "secondary" category.
Prosecutorial Strategy
The SDNY's co-conspirator investigation focused resources on Maxwell as "one of the main co-conspirators" with the strongest evidence of direct involvement in recruiting and grooming victims. After Epstein's death by suicide in August 2019, prosecutors may have concluded that securing a conviction against Maxwell—Epstein's closest associate and the person with the most direct evidence of criminal conduct—was the most viable path to justice for victims.
Death and Cooperation
Jean-Luc Brunel's suicide in February 2022 eliminated the possibility of prosecuting one identified co-conspirator. Some individuals, including several of the primary co-conspirators, offered cooperation to prosecutors, potentially in exchange for leniency or non-prosecution.
Congressional Investigation#
In 2025-2026, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has conducted an investigation into Epstein's co-conspirators, issuing subpoenas to:
- Leslie Wexner (scheduled to testify February 18, 2026)
- Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn (both agreed to testify)
- Ghislaine Maxwell (refused to answer questions, reading only a prepared statement)
The congressional investigation seeks to understand not only the criminal activities of Epstein's associates but also how they escaped accountability for decades.
Current Status of Co-Conspirators#
As of 2026:
- Ghislaine Maxwell: Convicted, serving 20 years in federal prison
- Jean-Luc Brunel: Deceased (suicide in French custody, February 2022)
- Jeffrey Epstein: Deceased (suicide in federal custody, August 2019)
- Sarah Kellen: No charges filed; cooperated with 2019 investigation; living under married name
- Lesley Groff: No charges filed; attorney stated she was told not being prosecuted
- Nadia Marcinkova: No charges filed; living privately, no public testimony
- Adriana Ross: No charges filed; has avoided public comment
- Leslie Wexner: No charges filed; designated not a target; testifying before Congress February 2026
- Darren Indyke & Richard Kahn: No criminal charges; settled civil lawsuit; testifying before Congress
- Larry Visoski & David Rodgers: No charges filed; cooperated with investigation
The question of why so many of Epstein's enablers escaped criminal prosecution remains one of the most troubling aspects of the case. While Maxwell's conviction provided some measure of justice, victim advocates and survivors continue to call for accountability for the broader network that made Epstein's crimes possible.