Billionaire sues influencers for trespassing on former Epstein islands

Stephen Deckoff, who bought Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean islands, has filed lawsuits against several social-media personalities for allegedly entering the property without permission.

Billionaire Stephen Deckoff acquired the former Jeffrey Epstein islands, Little St. James and Great St. James, in 2023 and announced intentions to develop a high-end resort, though only a warehouse permit has been sought. Over the past year, a number of influencers have filmed themselves on the property, renting jet skis, climbing ashore and displaying banners demanding the release of Epstein-related files. Deckoff’s holding company, LSJVI, LLC, has sued nine such individuals, alleging trespass and seeking to recover any earnings from the videos.

Island caretaker Ann Rodriquez was arrested on assault and false-imprisonment charges after a creator was found hog-tied and naked on a boat, and she has been accused of using a replica handgun to threaten visitors. Deckoff’s spokesperson warned that the presence of “intruders” threatens the safety of island staff and that the lawsuits aim to deter further unauthorized filming. Some of the sued creators claim they were merely seeking truth about the island’s history, while others have pledged to donate video revenue to anti-human-trafficking groups.