Newly released Epstein jail footage shows guards on phones, skipping mandatory checks

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A newly released surveillance video from the night of Jeffrey Epstein’s death shows correctional officers neglecting their duties. The footage captures Tova Noel and Michael Thomas walking casually and using their phones instead of checking on Epstein’s cell as required.

The video, recorded outside the officer station in the Special Housing Unit of Manhattan’s Metropolitan Correctional Center, shows the guards just a few feet from Epstein’s cell but making no effort to monitor him. The footage was made public shortly after it emerged that Tova Noel had deposited $5,000 in cash 10 days prior to Epstein’s death.

Epstein was found unresponsive on August 10, 2019, at around 6:30 am and was pronounced dead at 6:39 am.

Footage shows Epstein guards skipped mandatory checks

The newly released video from the night of Epstein’s death shows correctional officers just feet away from his cell, yet failing to perform their mandatory duties.

At 3:15 am, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas were seen writing notes, walking back and forth, and talking on their phones instead of making the required 3:00 am rounds, according to Department of Justice (DOJ) documents.

Epstein’s cell was the first on the block, located down a short flight of stairs behind the officer station on the 9th-floor L-tier wing. Despite being so close, the guards did not check on him. The last official check by Noel was hours before Epstein was found unresponsive at 6:30 am on August 10, 2019, during breakfast rounds.

Bright orange warnings and reminders about Epstein’s watch status had been posted on the officers’ computers, but they were ignored.

DOJ documents reveal that Epstein required constant monitoring, a cellmate at all times, and regular check-ins. One directive read, “Mandatory rounds must be conducted every 30 minutes on Epstein, as per God!!!”

DOJ details reveal warnings ignored in Epstein case

Lt. Roberto Grijalva, head of the Special Housing Unit, told DOJ investigators that he left a bright orange note by the computer to remind officers to check on Jeffrey Epstein regularly and ensure he always had a cellmate, as per New York Post.

“It was just a reminder between us,” Grijalva said. “I placed it next to the screen before I left for the weekend at 2 pm on August 9. Whoever was on duty should have seen it. When I returned on Monday, the note was gone," as per the publication.

Grijalva also said that at around 8 am on August 9, he escorted Epstein and his cellmate, convicted drug dealer Efrain Reyes, downstairs. Epstein spent the day meeting with his lawyers, while Reyes had his belongings with him and was likely preparing to leave.

He explained that multiple orange sheets in Epstein’s cell were left behind because officers did not remove Reyes’ bedding when he was discharged. Epstein had also received extra sheets after saying he was cold at night. Grijalva described the oversight as a serious mistake.