A Tale of Two Jeffreys: How the Virgin Islands Welcomed a Rich Sex Offender—and Punished a Poor One
The Daily Beast featured a column titled “A Tale of Two Jeffreys“, describing the remarkably different experiences of Jeffrey Epstein from Jeffrey Cole. While both are named Jeffrey and both are labeled “sex offenders”, that’s where the similarities end.
We don’t need to re-hash Epstein, but Cole, the story describes, “was convicted in Ohio of a misdemeanor charge of voyeurism in 2009. He was a schlub of modest means, but his offense was relatively minor (if creepy) and he needed neither wealth nor influence to receive just a suspended sentence of 90 days and two years probation.”…The underlying conviction, which requires Mr. Cole to register as a sex offender, did not involve a minor, physical violence, or physical touching of any kind,”
Since his 2008 offense, Cole had not been convicted of any other crimes. He moved to the Virgin Islands in 2018 and forgot to register – The U.S. Attorney for the Virgin Islands, Gretchen Shappert, did not miss an opportunity to convey through the media how seriously her office takes such matters. Cole is still sitting in prison awaiting his sentencing.
All the while, Epstein came and went as he pleased – again, no need to rehash the facts because that’s all we hear about in the media. The problem with ONLY hearing about Epstein in the media is now the public will think treatment of persons required to register is more like Jeffrey Epstein than Jeffrey Cole!
Florida Senator Lauren Book is already jumping at the opportunity to call for “investigations” and will undoubtedly push for harsher laws to prevent perceived benefits that only Jeffrey Epstein (of the 70,000+ registrants in Florida) received – but each of the other 70,000 registrants in Florida will now be punished for. We already see New Mexico proposing new restrictions in the wake of Epstein and likely the Virgin Islands will be next.
Hey Lawmakers, NOBODY on the registry gets treated like Epstein did. NO ONE!!! Please don’t waste your time passing new laws because you think we are all flying around on private jets with a harem of underage girls. It’s not happening.
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Bill Clinton is on RECORD having taken 7 trips on a private jet called the “Lolita Express” which housed girl “attendants” all between the ages of 12 and 15.
At taxpayers expense of course.
I’m sure ol’ billy never touched any them “attendants” though.
This will be another Megans law. Never make a law based on isolated incidents. There are already laws on the books that can deal with them. It’s a joke. It does TONS more harm if any good at all.
I know Jeff Cole and what he did… was not minor. It was creepy. It was heart breaking. He ruined people’s lives. He broke the trust of a family member and I hope he is punished for it for the rest of his life. He deserves it.
This is why a couple times a month I buy a power ball. It’s the hope that keeps me going
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. We should know by now that money buys “justice”.
Speaking of which, what’s goin on with Ron Books DUI case?
On our news here In Louisiana. Ms Book made our news, because she says she is being threatened for trying to find out about Mr Epstein. The article didn’t say who is threatening her. Does anyone know?
Ms. Book also sought a restraining order against an advocate that was outspoken against her – making all kinds of claims that were entirely baseless according to witnesses. It’s another way to get attention.
Amen! It makes me crazy when I hear about new laws usually named after a victim when if the existing law would work just fine if it were followed properly….or no law at all would logically be able to stop the action. Grrrrrrr