Anti-human trafficking advocate arrested for trespassing on Island previously owned by Epstein

The head of a Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit that works with law enforcement to fight human trafficking was charged with trespassing on Little St. James, the island formally owned by financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. 

Authorities responded to reports of a kidnapping and assault on the island, according to Virginia Island police. Once there, police say they confronted three people. One of those people was aggressive toward law enforcement, WREG reported. 

The people escorted police to a holding area, where they found Benjamin Owen, founder of We Fight Monsters. He was restrained by duct tap and his body and face, according to police. 

One of the men told police that trespassers, who were taking pictures, had pushed his pregnant girlfriend to the ground. While the others fled, a man later identified as Owen was restrained and held by island personnel. 

In a statement, Owen confirmed he was arrested for trespassing on the island and said he was doing research that would get the Epstein story back in the spotlight and "raise awareness." 

“Those same reports also highlight that I was kidnapped, hogtied and blindfolded by an individual who managed the island for Jeffrey Epstein himself, a woman who apparently still manages and resides on the island today. I’d like to thank [Virgin Islands police] for rescuing me from that debacle, and I look forward to seeing what the legal process uncovers as all of this proceeds," Owen said. 

He also denied a woman was pushed and said he has video of the confrontation, which will be released later.