FBI Special Agent in West Palm Beach and, with E. Nesbitt Kuyrkendall, one of the two case agents on Operation Leap Year, the 2006-2008 federal investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. Served grand jury subpoenas, took investigative reports, and worked the draft indictment with the line prosecutor. Was preparing for indictment as late as May 2008. The plea decision was announced to him rather than made by him.
Key Findings
- EFTA01100638 (Aug 21, 2007): "FBI Special Agents E. Nesbitt Kuyrkendall and Jason Richards traveled to the home of Leslie Groff to serve her with a federal grand jury subpoena"
- EFTA01245817 (Apr 25, 2007): FBI investigative report dictated "by SA Jason R. Richards" at West Palm Beach, Florida
- EFTA00225378 (Jul 31, 2007): Present at the meeting where the USAO offered Jeffrey Epstein a plea requiring minimum two years' incarceration
- EFTA00211410 (Sep 11, 2007): Party to emails with Villafana, John McMillan and Drew Oosterbaan of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section regarding changes to the draft indictment
- EFTA00211430 (May 23-27, 2008): Emails with Villafana and Kuyrkendall "regarding plans to meet to prepare for indictment"
- EFTA00208682: Named in a privilege log entry for a status update from Villafana to both case agents. The entry is withheld under deliberative-process and investigative privilege