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Tennessee nonprofit founder ‘hogtied’ on Epstein’s island, charged with trespassing

(2025 file video above)

MEMPHIS, Tennessee. (A LOT) – The leader of a Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit that works with police to combat human trafficking and child exploitation was found tied up on an island linked to Jeffrey Epstein on Saturday.

Founder: Benjamin Owen We Fight MonstersHe is accused of entering the island without permission. He is currently out on bail and is back in Memphis awaiting a hearing on May 15.

Owen sent a statement to Nexstar’s WREG, explaining that he was doing research to raise awareness about the Epstein story on the island.

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Virgin Islands police said in a court filing that on Saturday, authorities found the Little St. He said he was called to a report of a kidnapping and assault on James Island.

When they arrived on the island, police said they were greeted by three men, one of whom initially acted aggressively toward police. They accompanied the police officers to the waiting area in an all-terrain vehicle.

Officers found a man, later identified as Owen, bound with duct tape around his body and face, wearing black pants with the words “We Fight Monsters” written on them, according to the report.

Ben Owen from We Fight Monsters (WREG)

One of the men on the island told police that his pregnant girlfriend was pushed to the ground by trespassers who were taking photos of the island. Owen was restrained by island staff “to protect the island” while other people fled, police said.

The worker was later accused of assaulting Owen in front of officers, according to the report. Police determined there was probable cause that Owen was unlawfully restrained.

Owen confirmed Saturday’s events in a statement:

“As multiple media reports and public records confirm, I was arrested over the weekend for trespassing on Epstein Island, while I was trying to do some research to re-engage this story and raise awareness about our monsters We Fight Monsters, a nonprofit that combats human trafficking and exploitation. The same reports also highlight that I was kidnapped, bound, and blindfolded by a person who runs the island for Jeffrey Epstein, who apparently still runs and lives on the island today.

“I would like to thank [Virgin Islands police] Thank you for saving me from this fiasco, and while all this is going on, I can’t wait to see what the legal process reveals.

“One thing I would add is that no one pushed the woman onto the beach and we have video of that confrontation when the time comes. At the judge’s request, that’s all I can say right now, I’m just repeating publicly available information, I can’t discuss any details of the case.”

One of the women who spoke to police in Owen’s case was identified as Little St. Louis in court documents in a separate case. James’ property manager is identified as Ann Rodriquez. Rodriquez, who appears more than 200 times in the Justice Department’s records related to the Epstein investigation, faces charges related to an incident in May, Nexstar’s NewsNation reported. Authorities say he followed his two siblings on a boat and forcing someone to undress and kneel before their hands are tied.

While Rodriquez was allegedly chasing other members of Owen’s group on a boat, maintenance workers on the island detained him.

Epstein, a New York financier with connections to business, Hollywood and political elites, was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor and died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

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