By Trendsetter Tribune 
NEW YORK — Newly released Department of Justice (DoJ) files have uncovered that Jeffrey Epstein cultivated personal relationships with at least six U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, prompting a federal investigation into whether these connections helped him bypass standard border security measures.
The revelations, published by The Guardian on Thursday, February 19, 2026, are part of a massive trove of millions of documents released following the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The Investigation into Timothy “Bill” Routch
The FBI in New York opened a preliminary investigation in October 2019 following a report that Timothy “Bill” Routch, a long-serving CBP agricultural inspector in St. Thomas, had an “ongoing friendship” with Epstein for over seven years.
- Island Visits: Records show Epstein invited Routch to his private island, Little St. James, and Routch acknowledged visiting the property “in the course of his employment.”
- Financial Ties: Documents suggest Epstein offered financial advice and employment opportunities to officers. One agent even solicited Epstein for a “hard-money loan,” though the agent claims it never materialized.
- Subpoenas: Investigators subpoenaed credit reports for Routch and three other officers at the Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas to look for signs of illicit payments.
Strategic Access at the Border
Epstein reportedly used his friendly relationships with CBP officers to manage the logistics of his frequent international and domestic travel.
- Duty Schedules: Epstein frequently texted and emailed officers to determine who would be on duty when his private plane was scheduled to arrive or depart.
- Pre-Clearance Perks: Epstein and his pilot, Larry Visoski, preferred to use the CBP “pre-clearance” program at St. Thomas. Emails suggest Epstein was personally involved in ensuring he dealt with “friendly” agents to expedite the process.
- Complaints Against Others: When Epstein faced “less-than-friendly” treatment from other officers, he would complain to his contacts within the CBP. In at least two instances, supervisors promised to “look into” the behavior of officers who were strictly enforcing rules against him.
Key Findings and Current Status
Despite the depth of the investigation, the Department of Justice files indicate that no charges were ever filed against any CBP officer.
| Officer Category | Number Identified | Key Interaction |
| Investigated by FBI | 1 (Timothy Routch) | Long-term “friendship” while working pre-clearance. |
| Subpoenaed | 3 Additional Officers | Credit reports checked for suspicious activity. |
| Identified in Contacts | 2 Additional Officers | Emails/texts found in St. Thomas and Florida. |
While investigators confirmed that Epstein provided small gifts and social invitations, they found no direct evidence that the officers had knowledge of or participated in his sex trafficking crimes.