Sickening is the word for the details contained in the 14-page federal indictment against Jeffrey Epstein — accused sex trafficker, registered sex offender, former fixture in the circles of the rich and famous.

The billionaire money manager, whose connections include Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Britain’s Prince Andrew, is accused of sexually exploiting and abusing dozens of minor girls, some as young as 14. Epstein allegedly recruited them for often demeaning sex acts, then paid some to recruit others — creating a “vast network of underage victims.”

During a search of Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, investigators discovered “a vast trove of lewd photographs of young-looking women or girls.”

“The defendant, a registered sex offender, is not reformed, he is not chastened, he is not repentant,” prosecutors wrote, “rather, he is a continuing danger to the community and an individual who faces devastating evidence supporting deeply serious charges.”

Epstein’s arrest, brought by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, is long overdue. Epstein could face up to 45 years in prison on one count of sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

If he is found guilty, Epstein deserves as much time behind bars as the law allows for inflicting so much damage on so many young lives. His victims will never be made whole, but they deserve justice.

The reckoning cannot stop there. Anyone who aided and abetted Epstein’s criminal acts and allowed him to get away with preying on vulnerable children also must be held accountable — no matter where on the political spectrum they stand, no matter their standing or celebrity.

Allegations of Epstein’s stomach-churning behavior have been documented in civil court cases and police complaints going back years.

In 2008, a secret deal with federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida helped Epstein avoid a lengthy prison sentence on charges mirroring those he faces now.

In that case, which involved dozens of girls, Epstein pleaded guilty to two state counts of soliciting prostitution from a minor, eluding a federal indictment that could have resulted in a life sentence in prison. Instead, he served only 13 months in a private wing of the Palm Beach county jail, where he was permitted to go to his office six days a week.

His victims were not notified of the plea deal, which required Epstein to register as a sex offender.

And what prosecutor allowed the deal that let a child predator get away with wrist slap? Alexander Acosta, then-U.S. attorney in Miami, now Secretary of Labor under Donald Trump.

Acosta, who sailed through his 2017 confirmation , is now facing a growing chorus of calls to resign from Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

“Instead of prosecuting a predator and serial sex trafficker of children,” Schumer said, “Acosta chose to let him off easy.”

It is a travesty that Acosta was confirmed in the first place, especially for an office that oversees human trafficking laws.

Acosta only deflected blame at Wednesday’s press conference, saying “we believe we proceeded appropriately,” and refusing to apologize to victims.

That was telling. Acosta has consistently failed to protect victims of sexual exploitation, in the Epstein case and in his current role.

In February, U.S. Judge Kenneth Marra ruled that Acosta’s office broke the law by not informing Epstein’s victims of the plea deal. As labor secretary, he has proposed cutting an anti-trafficking program by 80 percent.

That Acosta has remained in his job, and is still getting support and sympathy from top elected officials, illustrates the very dynamic that allowed Epstein to escape prosecution for so long. Wealth, power and connections still provide shields from accountability.

For years, even as rumors of his predilection for young girls swirled, Epstein socialized with a network of influential and moneyed friends and acquaintances.

“I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,” Donald Trump told New York Magazine in 2002. “It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”

Trump now says he was “never a fan” of Epstein. But he lauded Acosta this week, saying he felt “very badly” for his hard-working appointee.

No mention of the victims who have had to struggle with the emotional fallout of sexual abuse. .

At long last, Epstein may finally get the punishment he deserves — thanks to the efforts of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman in New York , and dogged journalists at the Miami Herald, whose “Perversion of Justice” series exposed Epstein’s sordid behavior and Acosta’s role in the sweetheart deal.

Those who coddled Epstein or were complicit in his crimes must face consequences — starting with Acosta. A Department of Justice review of Acosta’s actions must be made public.

This much is already clear: Acosta has violated the public trust. He has no place in government office. He needs to resign — or be fired. Now.