Jeffrey Epstein, 66, a billionaire financier, philanthropist and registered sex offender, who eluded lengthy prison time in the past, was charged with sex-trafficking girls as young as 14 in a federal indictment unsealed on July 8. Epstein “sexually exploited and abused dozens of minor girls at his homes” in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, along with other locations, the indictment says. Epstein also paid some of his victims to recruit more underage victims, according to the indictment.

The charges — one count of sex trafficking and one count of sex-trafficking conspiracy — stem from accusations dating to 2002-2005.Epstein was arrested on July 6 and jailed after his private jet arrived from France. Convictions could result in up to 45 years in jail. He entered a plea of not guilty in federal court on July 8.

The new charges come 11 years after Epstein avoided what could have been a lengthy prison sentence when he pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting and procuring a person under 18 for prostitution. Under a non-prosecution agreement overseen by federal authorities in Florida, Epstein served a 13-month jail sentence, but was allowed to spend much of it in work release at his Palm Beach office. He also settled with dozens of victims and was required to register as a sex offender.

U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta resigned amid fresh scrutiny of his handling of the Epstein sex abuse case when he was U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.