US Probing 'Serious Irregularities' At Jail Where Accused Sex Offender Epstein Died - Barr

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th August, 2019) US Attorney General William Barr said on Monday that the Department of Justice has learned of "serious irregularities" at the Federal jail in New York, where accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein allegedly killed himself on Saturday.

"We are now learning of serious irregularities at this facility that are deeply concerning and demand a thorough investigation," Barr said. "The FBI and the Office of the Inspector General are doing just that. We will get to the bottom of what happened and there will be accountability."

Barr said that he was appalled and angry when he learned of the Metropolitan Correctional Center's failure to adequately secure Epstein.

The US Attorney General further said that the case will continue on against anyone who was complicit with Epstein in the alleged sex trafficking crimes.

"Any co-conspirators should not rest easy," Barr said. "The victims deserve justice and they will get it."

On Saturday, media, citing law enforcement officers, reported that Epstein committed suicide at the prison where he had been held ahead of his pending trial on charges of sex trafficking of minors.

Police have been investigating Epstein since the 2000s and arrested him in 2005 for molesting an underage girl. Epstein served 13 months in custody.

In July 2019, Epstein was arrested a second time for allegedly trafficking minor girls at his mansion for sex. Some of the charges dated back to the 2000s.

Epstein pleaded not guilty to all charges against him but faced up to 45 years in prison had he been convicted.