Some of the photos were discovered in a locked safe

The Epstein hearing is today.

Federal prosecutors in New York unsealed a criminal indictment Monday charging billionaire Jeffrey Epstein with having operated a sex trafficking ring in which he sexually abused dozens of underage girls, allegations that have circulated around the politically connected businessman for years.

Epstein, 66, was arrested Saturday night at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey aboard his private jet upon returning from Paris.

Later that evening, federal agents executing a search warrant of Epstein’s mansion in New York City recovered and seized a “vast trove” of lewd photographs of young-looking women or girls, prosecutors said in a bail memorandum.

Some of the photos were discovered in a locked safe along with compact discs with hand-written labels that read, “Young [Name] + [Name],” “Misc nudes 1,” and “Girl pics nude,” according to the bail memorandum.

He collected them, as one might collect stamps or wildflowers or minerals or old coins or other insensate objects. The trouble is, girls are not insensate objects. Clearly it’s very difficult for some men to grasp that simple fact, but it is nonetheless true.

The indictment also implicates some of Epstein’s employees. One person referred to as “Employee-1” called girls who had previously been lured into encounters with Epstein to arrange future visits to his New York residence, the indictment states.

When Epstein would travel by private jet from New York to Palm Beach, an employee or associate would “ensure that minor victims were available for encounters upon his arrival in Florida,” according to the indictment.

As an employee or associate might ensure that bottles of wine or baskets of fresh peaches or vats of hand-churned ice cream were available. The trouble is, girls are not food for men to devour. Clearly it’s very difficult for some men to grasp that simple fact, but it is nonetheless true.

Berman said the office would seek to keep Epstein detained pending trial, meaning prosecutors are expected to argue against giving him bail.

“We think he is a significant flight risk,” Berman said, citing Epstein’s “extreme” wealth, his two planes and the seriousness of the charges he faces.

Practically a guaranteed flight risk, I would think.

Fun fact: one of James Comey’s daughters – Maureen – is one of the prosecutors on the case.

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