Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who is being held on federal sex trafficking charges was reportedly found injured in his cell Tuesday after a possible suicide attempt, NBC News reported Wednesday.
Epstein, 66, was discovered injured, semi-conscious and laying in a fetal position in his New York City jail cell, sources close to the investigation told NBC News. Epstein had marks on his neck - the result of a possible attempt to hang himself two sources told NBC. A third person said the injuries to Epstein's neck weren't serious and may have been an attempt by him to stage an attack in order to get a transfer to another facility.
Investigators have not ruled out assault and questioned another inmate, identified as Nicohlas Tartaglione. Jail records show Tartaglione is a 49-year-old former police officer from Briarcliff Manor, New York who was arrested nearly 3 years ago after he was accused of killing four men involved in an alleged cocaine distribution conspiracy. He's been charged with drug conspiracy and four counts of murder and is awaiting trial.
Tartaglione claims not to have seen anything and did not touch Epstein, NBC's sources said.
Epstein has since been placed on suicide watch at the jail. NBC's report added. The former financier has pleaded 'Not Guilty' to charges of sex-trafficking girls as young as 14. A federal indictment says Epstein "sexually exploited and abused dozens of minor girls at his homes" located in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida. Some of Epstein's victims were paid to recruit other underage girls, the indictment adds.
A conviction could result in up to 45 years in jail for Epstein. His lawyers filed an appeal this week challenging a judge's recent decision to keep Epstein behind bars until his trial.