Memphis Nonprofit Founder Restrained With Duct Tape After Getting Caught Filming On Epstein Island

A Memphis man was charged with trespassing after he was caught filming on Epstein Island to raise awareness for his nonprofit. The man was hogtied with duct tape when island workers caught him and several others who traveled to Little Saint James to take photographs for his organization.

The man has been identified as Benjamin Jackson Owen, the founder of We Fight Monsters. On April 25, he traveled to Little Saint James, also known as Epstein Island, with a few others . When police officers with the Virgin Island Police Department arrived at the scene, two residents reported that a man had been caught trespassing.

Emery Poleon, who lives on the island, received a call from a maintenance worker who reported that they had seen some unknown people roaming on the property. According to court documents, Ann Rodriguez, Poleon’s mother, confronted the trespassers and demanded that they not move. However, they reportedly ran away on foot.

Rodriguez, who identified herself as a property manager of the island, pursued the men, who later climbed onto a vessel and left the area. She still tried to catch and identify them. Meanwhile, Poleon claimed that one of the men pushed her. She claimed to be with a child, and the fall caused her pain, the woman said.

She was shortly notified that island workers caught one of the individuals who ran away. According to the court document, “She stated that the detained trespasser, Benjamin Jackson Owen, was taken to a holding area and detained there until police arrival. Ms. Poleon then notified her mother of Owen’s presence on the island."

The court document added, “Ms. Rodiquez further added that while following the vessel occupied by the trespassers, she pursued them to the island of St. John Upon catching up to the vessel, she requested that the rental company associated with the boat prevent the individuals from leaving; however, her request was ignored, and the individuals continued on their way.”

“Ms. Rodriquez stated that she then traveled to the main police station to file a report regarding the incident ... While at the station, she received a call from her daughter advising that one of the trespassers had been detained on Little Saint James,” it added.

According to the court records, Owen was hogtied with duct tape. “His body and face were bound, and he was clothed only in black pants bearing the words ‘We Fight Monster,’” the document stated.

Owen told officers that he traveled to the island to take some photographs for his nonprofit. The court document said, “He stated that he made contact with Ms. Poleon and Ms. Rodriquez after they pursued him in an attempt to detain him. Owen further stated that he became winded during the pursuit and sat down, at which point he was 'taken.'”

“Owen stated that several males on the island apprehended him, lifted him, restrained him by tying him up, and placed him in a holding area until law enforcement arrived,” the document adds.

He was charged with trespassing and then released on a $500 bond.