Many of their crimes were committed in Florida or the US Virgin Islands.

But they mostly only legally qualify as rape because of where they take place.

In Florida (per Wikipedia):

The age of consent in Florida is 18,^[19] but close-in-age exemptions exist. By law, the exception permits a person 23 years of age or younger to engage in legal sexual activity with a minor aged 16 or 17.

794.05 Unlawful sexual activity with certain minors.– (1) A person 24 years of age or older who engages in sexual activity with a person 16 or 17 years of age commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. As used in this section, “sexual activity” means oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another; however, sexual activity does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose Florida code, Title XLVI, Chapter 794

The legal age for non-penetrative sexual contact is 16, and there are no close in age exceptions. If the offender is 18+ it is a 2nd degree felony, and if the offender is under 18 it is a 3rd degree felony.^[144]

If Epstein had penetrative sex with a 16 year old in Florida it would be statutory rape. A naked massage would not constitute penetrative sex, in my opinion.

However just one state north in Georgia:

The age of consent in Georgia is 16 and there is no close-in-age exception, though the offenses are a misdemeanor rather than a felony in cases where the perpetrator is less than 19 years of age and is no more than 4 years older than the victim.

The crime of “statutory rape” makes it illegal for a perpetrator of any age to have sexual intercourse with someone under the age of 16 that they are not married to.^[145] This law specifies that a defendant cannot be convicted on the testimony of the victim alone; some other evidence must be present.

Thus if Epstein had his mansion in Georgia rather than Florida the statutory rape accusations mostly are untriable.

It creates a strange anomaly. A 24 year old and a 17 year old can live together and even have a child together in Georgia. All perfectly legally. But if they take a vacation together at Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida he or she suddenly becomes a rapist!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_the_United_States#Florida

In the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein had his private island:

Paraphrasing Virgin Islands Code: V.I.C. § 1700–1709 Virgin Islands Code and appeals records Francis vs. VI NOTE: “mistake of fact as to the victim’s age is not a defense”. The age of consent is 18. There is however a close-in-age exemption that allows minors 16 and 17 years old to consent with someone no more than five years older than themselves and minors 13 to 15 years old to consent with one another, but not with anyone 16 or over.

But if his private island had been in the Bahamas the age of consent is 16. Same in Barbados, Belize and British Virgin Islands.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#Bahamas

The age of consent in the UK is 16.

I’m not making any excuses for or approving of either Epstein or Maxwell: they appear to be first class sleazes who knowingly broke the law. However it seems that Epstein planned the location of his homes very badly if he wanted to have sexual relations with teenage girls.