Debbie Wasserman Schultz praises judge for denying bail to Jeffrey Epstein

A federal judge in New York is keeping financier Jeffrey Epstein locked up as he faces child trafficking charges.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz says it’s the right decision.

“This particular serial pedophile will never spend enough time behind bars,” Wasserman Schultz said.

“These survivors deserve more answers and true justice, and I’ll keep fighting for both. Epstein’s wealth has, until now, allowed him to elude imprisonment, while those without it are often held on far more minor charges. For the safety of survivors and minors — our justice system sent a message that these crimes are serious, dangerous, and damaging.”

Epstein was child trafficking by the Southern District of New York in early July. Those charges could net up to 45 years in prison. Prosecutors argued Epstein’s wealth made him a flight risk while he awaits trial.

The charges come years after Epstein secured a non-prosecution agreement with the Southern District of Florida after accusations of having sex with several young girls.

That agreement allowed Epstein to plea to state charges, which saw him face just 13 months in jail. He spent much of that time on supervised release.

Alex Acosta, who served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida at the time, was recently forced to resign from his position as Labor Secretary under President Donald Trump. That resignation came after renewed scrutiny of the Epstein deal, thanks in part to an investigation by the Miami Herald.

Epstein faces accusations of recruiting young girls, often to give him massages that would turn sexual. Jennifer Araoz said a woman recruited her outside a New York City high school. She says Epstein raped her when she was 15.