EFTA00072638.pdf

U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division VAA:WHG:JEC:RI:ri DOJ Reference No. Office of International Affairs Washington, D.C. FROM: The Central Authority of the United States TO: The Central Authority of the Kingdom of Sweden SUBJECT: Expedited Request for Assistance in the Interview of a Witness DATE: January 27, 2020 The Central Authority of the United States of America requests the assistance of the appropriate Swedish authorities to obtain evidence for use in a criminal investigation and in any related criminal proceedings pursuant to the 2001 U.S.-Sweden Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty ("MLAT"), as supplemented by the 2004 U.S.-Sweden Mutual Legal Assistance Instrument. INTRODUCTION The U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"; collectively, "U.S. authorities") are investigating certain individuals for offenses implicating sexual misconduct with minors in violation of U.S. law (the "Investigation"). As part of the U.S. investigation, U.S. authorities have learned that an individual living in Sweden, EIM, may be a witness to certain events, conduct, or conversations relevant to the Investigation. is not a target or subject of the Investigation, and U.S. authorities have no reason to believe that committed any crimes or misconduct or could be charged with any crime. has indicated to U.S. authorities that she is willing to consent to a voluntary interview on Wednesday, February 5, 2020. EFTA00072638 REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY Because of the sensitive nature of this investigation, pursuant to Article 8 of the MLAT, please treat this request as confidential and, to the extent permissible under Swedish law, prevent public disclosure of any matter relating to its content and execution. Please do not share the contents of this request or its subject matter with any private persons (including potential subjects of the investigation) or any governmental official whose knowledge is not absolutely necessary for purposes of executing this request. In addition, please advise all who must be made aware of this request for assistance for purposes of its execution that the contents and subject matter are to be kept confidential and should not be shared with any potential subjects of the investigation or any other persons. If this request cannot be executed without breaching such confidentiality, please notify U.S. authorities through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs prior to taking any action. THE FACTS U.S. citizen Jeffrey Epstein is alleged to have engaged in the sexual abuse of minor girls during the period of approximately 1995 through 2005,. In July 2019, Epstein was charged with sex trafficking of minors in the Southern District of New York. In August 2019, Epstein committed suicide while awaiting trial. In connection with the Investigation, U.S. Authorities are continuing to investigate possible criminal actions by certain of Epstein's associates. One of Epstein's victims has alleged misconduct involving one or more of Epstein's associates, and has stated that was a witness to certain of the victim's interactions with Epstein and his associates. a Swedish citizen residing in Sweden, has indicated to law enforcement officers that she is willing to consent to a voluntary interview. is not a target or subject of the investigation, but rather a witness, and U.S. Authorities have no reason to believe she has committed any crime or could be charged with any crime. 2 EFTA00072639 THE OFFENSES Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591 Sex Trafficking of Minors (a) Whoever knowingly — (1) in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, obtains, advertises, maintains, patronizes, or solicits by any means a person; or (2) benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture which has engaged in an act described in violation of paragraph (1), knowing, or, except where the act constituting the violation of paragraph (I) is advertising, in reckless disregard of the fact, that means of force, threats of force, fraud, coercion described in subsection (e)(2), or any combination of such means will be used to cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act, or that the person has not attained the age of 18 years and will be caused to engage in a commercial sex act, shall [have committed a crime]. Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423 Transportation of Minors (a) Transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (1) A person who knowingly transports an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States, with intent that the individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, shall [have committed a crime] Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422 Coercion and Enticement (b) Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall [have committed a crime]. SUBJECT OF THE INVESTIGATION Name: Aliases: Date of birth: Place of birth: Citizenship: Address: Passport Information: JOHN and JANE DOES 3 EFTA00072640 ASSISTANCE REOUESTED Please ask the competent Swedish authority designated to execute this request to provide the assistance described below. Interview Grant permission for the following individuals to conduct an in-person interview with concerning her possible observation of certain events, conduct, or conversations relevant to the Investigation, including as they relate to a victim of the relevant conduct: a. 2. At the start of the interview, U.S. authorities will advise Ms. that the interview is voluntary and that that she does not have to speak with U.S. authorities. 4 EFTA00072641 3. U.S. authorities do not require that that Swedish authorities arrange the time or place of the interview, as the witness has communicated directly with U.S. Authorities, who will make arrangements for the interview. U.S. authorities also do not require the presence of Swedish authorities during the interview, which we expect to cover topics of a sensitive and personal nature, given the conduct at issue for which is a witness. CONTACT INFORMATION For further information about the execution of this request, please contact CONCLUSION Please extend our esteemed gratitude to all Swedish authorities for their attention to this request and for any assistance that they may be able to provide in the investigation of Dekker. Date Associate Director Criminal Division Office of International Affairs 5 EFTA00072642