Little St. James Island, a 70-acre private island in the United States Virgin Islands, became the most notorious property in Jeffrey Epstein's real estate portfolio. Purchased by Epstein in 1998, the island sits in the chain of small islands southeast of St. Thomas and was quickly transformed from undeveloped land into a compound featuring a main residence, guest houses, a helipad, a private dock, and a distinctive blue-and-white striped temple-like structure visible from passing boats.

The island earned the grim colloquial nickname 'Pedophile Island' among locals and boat operators in the US Virgin Islands, who observed a regular flow of young women being transported to the island by boat and helicopter. Steve Scully, a contractor who worked on construction projects on the island, later provided the FBI with security camera footage from the property and testified about what he witnessed during his time there, including the presence of young women who appeared to be minors.

Flight logs from Epstein's Boeing 727, known as the 'Lolita Express,' documented hundreds of trips between Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, Palm Beach International, and the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas — the nearest commercial airport to Little St. James. These logs, which listed passengers by name, became critical evidence connecting prominent individuals to Epstein's island and were extensively referenced in court proceedings.

The island's infrastructure expanded significantly over Epstein's two decades of ownership. Beyond the main residential compound, the property included staff quarters, maintenance buildings, a full commercial kitchen, and extensive landscaping. The temple-like structure on the island's highest point — a rectangular building with a gold dome and blue-and-white striped walls — drew particular public attention and speculation. Drone footage of the island captured by journalists and private citizens circulated widely online in the years before and after Epstein's arrest.

The US Virgin Islands government filed a civil lawsuit against Epstein's estate in January 2020, alleging a pattern of sex trafficking and forced labor involving victims as young as 12 on Little St. James. The complaint detailed how Epstein used the island's isolation to control victims, confiscating their passports and restricting access to boats and communication. Attorney General Denise George alleged that the trafficking operation continued on the island as recently as 2018.

Victim testimony from multiple court proceedings described the experience of being brought to Little St. James. Survivors recounted being flown to St. Thomas and then transported by boat or helicopter to the private island, where they were subjected to abuse in the main house and guest buildings. The island's remote location and private security made escape or outside communication extremely difficult for victims.

Following Epstein's death and the subsequent legal proceedings, control of Little St. James passed to his estate. In 2023, the island was listed for sale along with neighboring Great St. James Island. The USVI civil case was settled in 2023 for approximately $105 million, with the government securing both monetary compensation and commitments regarding the future use of the island properties. The settlement represented one of the largest in the territory's history.