Epstein's Cultivated CBP Relationships Revealed in DOJ Files
Federal investigators examined Jeffrey Epstein's relationship with a Customs and Border Protection officer stationed at St Thomas airport, where Epstein frequently flew on private planes before traveling to his private island, according to newly released Department of Justice documents. The Guardian's review of these files reveals Epstein interacted with six CBP officers total, though no officer faced charges related to Epstein's crimes.
Investigation Details and Officer Interactions
The FBI opened a preliminary investigation in October 2019 after receiving a report about a long-serving CBP agricultural inspector, Timothy "Bill" Routch, who had an ongoing friendship with Epstein while working at Cyril E King Airport on St Thomas for over seven years. This email is among millions of Epstein-related files released by the DOJ this month. Federal authorities interviewed Epstein's longtime pilot, Larry Visoski, about the convicted sex offender's contacts with CBP agents.
Epstein emailed and texted with CBP officers, invited them to his island, visited with them at the airport, and frequently sought to determine who would be on duty during his travels through STT. Some officers received financial advice, small gifts, or employment opportunities. One officer was invited to perform steel pan drums on Little St James multiple times, while Epstein's assistant helped another with accounting mentorship. That agent solicited Epstein for a "hard-money loan," though he told the Guardian it never materialized.
Officer Responses and Investigation Scope
Routch acknowledged interacting with Epstein "in the course of [his] employment," visiting Epstein's island, and being investigated by the FBI. He disputed many details in FBI and CBP documents, calling the investigation "a wild goose chase" and stating all encounters were business-related with no knowledge of trafficking. The FBI interviewed Routch and subpoenaed credit reports for him and three other CBP officers, but it's unclear if the investigation progressed further.
Epstein also raised complaints about less-friendly treatment from other CBP officers with his friendly agents, twice eliciting promises from supervisors to address the perceived ill treatment. The Guardian contacted CBP and the Department of Homeland Security for comment but received no response by the deadline.
Travel Complications and Direct Communications
In March 2016, Epstein faced logistical headaches when a CBP officer at Teterboro airport threatened Visoski with a fine despite preclearing customs in STT. Epstein pursued the issue, seeking information about CBP procedures and asking for the officer's supervisor's name. Two weeks later, another hiccup occurred at Newark airport, where a CBP officer required Epstein's passengers to pass through immigration control despite preclearance.
While Epstein's lawyer, Darren Indyke, filed formal complaints through official channels, Epstein took a more direct approach by emailing James Heil, a supervisory CBP officer on St Thomas. Heil had been in direct communication with Epstein since at least 2014, with emails suggesting a scheduled visit to Little St James in February 2014. Epstein regularly contacted Heil about customs issues or to check if Heil would be on duty during his departures from STT.
Friendly Exchanges and Additional Officers
The correspondence between Epstein and Heil appeared friendly, including Christmas messages and an offer from Epstein to make Heil an egg cream. On Christmas Eve 2016, Epstein texted Heil about delivering cannolis to his home. Epstein also discussed with Visoski whether to ask Heil to approve overtime for preclearance outside regular hours.
Epstein's interactions extended to other CBP officers, including Jeff McNally, Glen Samuel, Gerardo Martinez, and Alford Richards. Samuel was scheduled to perform steel pan drumming on Epstein's island, while Richards sought financial advice from Epstein, who counseled him on accounting courses and attempted to find him an internship. Richards acknowledged interactions with Epstein but minimized the relationship's depth.
Investigation Aftermath and Officer Statements
In August 2019, Routch learned a former girlfriend had alerted the FBI about his association with Epstein, leading to an FBI memo documenting his concern. Routch disputed this account, claiming his supervisor fabricated the story. Federal prosecutors obtained subpoenas for credit checks on Routch in May 2020, and the FBI interviewed Visoski in November 2020 about Epstein's interactions with CBP officers.
Visoski disclosed that Epstein asked him to call a CBP officer about keeping the office open for processing after hours and that Epstein sometimes traveled with females holding foreign passports, arguing with CBP about customs issues. The memo suggests investigators were examining CBP's potential awareness of Epstein's criminal activity, but Visoski stated he had no knowledge of any CBP officer assisting in trafficking underage passengers.
Final Interviews and Case Status
Routch was interviewed by the FBI and DHS inspector general in April 2021, with a memo indicating he exaggerated the relationship for ego purposes and described ingratiating himself with Epstein by ensuring fair treatment from non-white CBP personnel. Routch denied knowledge of trafficking but acknowledged awareness of Epstein's conviction, assuming Eastern European women flying to the USVI were heading to Epstein's island.
Ultimately, no CBP officer was charged, and the released files show inconsistent redactions with uncertainty about how many more documents will become public. The investigation highlights Epstein's efforts to cultivate relationships within border protection agencies while his criminal activities continued unchecked.
