GHISLAINE Maxwell was found guilty of five out of six counts in her sex trafficking trial.
The jury found Maxwell guilty on five charges, which include conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation of an individual under the age of 17 with the intent to engage in sexual activity
The only charge Maxwell was not found guilty of was count two, which was enticement of an individual under the age of 17 to travel with intent to engage in sexual activity.
Jurors submitted several requests to the judge earlier this week, including the legal definition of “enticement,” transcripts of testimony, colored highlighters, post-it notes, and a whiteboard.
Maxwell’s top charge, which is a sex-trafficking count, carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The socialite could face up to 65 years in prison.
Read our Ghislaine Maxwell live blog for the very latest news and updates…
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Prosecutors showed ‘no emotion’
Ghislaine Maxwell did not show emotion when her guilty verdict was delivered, and the prosecution reportedly left the courtroom without showing emotion either.
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‘This wasn’t a two-person operation’
Former federal prosecutor Elie Honig called the conviction “long overdue justice for victims.”
“Prosecutors need to hold other powerful players to account,” he added.
“This wasn’t a two-person operation.”
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The victims described abuse, continued
Another victim, who went by ‘Carolyn’ said she was usually paid $300 after sexual encounters with Epstein, often by Maxwell herself.
A third alleged victim was Annie Farmer, now 42, who said Maxwell fondled her breasts when she was a teenager at the New Mexico ranch owned by Epstein.
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The victims described abuse
Often sobbing as they gave evidence, four women described how they were lured into giving massages for Epstein by Maxwell, which were in fact ruses and the prelude to their abuse.
One, identified only as ‘Jane’ detailed how Maxwell recruited her at summer camp and made her feel “special.”
She said sexual encounters with Epstein became routine, with Maxwell sometimes present.
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Bad news for Prince Andrew, Continued
“We know that prosecutors are looking at other co-conspirators in connection with Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex ring.
“Ghislaine undoubtedly possesses information which could assist prosecutors in other cases. If she decides to co-operate, her testimony could be devastating.
“She was Epstein’s right-hand woman for years, imagine what she knows?”
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‘Could be bad news for Prince Andrew’
A legal source connected with Maxwell’s case told The Mail on Sunday a guilty verdict in the case could spell trouble for the royal.
“This could be bad news for Prince Andrew and other high-profile men who hung out with Ghislaine and Jeffrey Epstein,” the source said.
“It is possible she will begin to co-operate and tell what she knows in an attempt to lessen her jail term.
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Maxwell did not look at the jury
Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly did not look at the jury when it filed in to the courtroom to deliver its verdict.
The convicted sex trafficker also reportedly struggled to stand after the verdict was read, but did not say anything.
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The crowd outside the courthouse
A large crowd is gathered outside the federal courthouse, where Ghislaine Maxwell was just found guilty of child sex trafficking.
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Maximum sentences for each charge
- Count one – maximum sentence of five years
- Count two – (not guilty) maximum sentence of five years
- Count three – maximum sentence of five years
- Count four – maximum sentence of 10 years
- Counts five – maximum sentence of five years
- Count six – maximum sentence of 40 years
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The charges
Prosecutors alleged that between 1994 and 1997 she helped Epstein to groom girls as young as 14.
Maxwell has been charged with six counts of sex trafficking offenses, and was found guilty of five:
- Count one – GUILTY: Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Count two – NOT GUILTY: Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Count three – GUILTY: Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Count four – GUILTY: Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Counts five – GUILTY: Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors
- Count six – GUILTY:Sex trafficking of minors
The 17-page indictment against Maxwell accused her of grooming and befriending victims, normalizing inappropriate behavior, being present during abuse to put victims at ease, encouraging victims to accept Epstein’s help, and encouraging victims to engage in sexual activity and taking part herself.
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Statement from US attorney
US Attorney Damian Williams issued a statement in response to the jury’s guilty verdict.
“I want to commend the bravery of the girls – now grown women – who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom,” part of the statement reads.
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No reaction from Maxwell
According to The Independent reporter, Bevan Hurley, Ghislaine Maxwell showed no emotion when her verdict was read out.
She now faces up to 65 years behind bars.
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‘Trial of the century’
In what was described as the “trial of the century”, the jury heard how Maxwell snared girls as young as 14 for Epstein – and even joined in the abuse herself.
On the final day of the trial on Monday, Assistant US Attorney Alison Moe summed up the prosecution case against Maxwell, who she said was a “grown woman who preyed on vulnerable kids”.
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Which charge was Maxwell not found guilty of?
The only charge Maxwell was not found guilty of was count two.
That count was was enticement of an individual under the age of 17 to travel with intent to engage in sexual activity.
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How long will Ghislaine Maxwell spend in prison?
The convicted sex trafficker could spend up to 65 years in prison.
She was found guilty of five out of the six federal charges brought against her.
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GUILTY!
Ghislaine Maxwell was just convicted on five out of the six counts.
The only charge Maxwell was not found guilty of was count two, which was enticement of an individual under the age of 17 to travel with intent to engage in sexual activity.
The convicted sex trafficker could face up to 65 years in prison.
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Verdict reached
A court official said a verdict has been reached in Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial.
The verdict will be read out soon in court.
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Unclear where jury stands
With it nearing 5pm, when the jurors have typically been sent home for the day, it is unclear if a verdict will be delivered.
It is also not yet known if the judge will dismiss the group at 5pm, or ask them to stay later.
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Courtroom sketch: Defense speaks with Ghislaine Maxwell
Defense attorneys Bobbi Sternheim and Christian Everdell speak with Ghislaine Maxwell in a courtroom sketch.
Defense attorneys Bobbi Sternheim and Christian Everdell speak with Ghislaine Maxwell in a courtroom sketch on December 29, 2021Credit: REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg -
Photo of Maxwell and Epstein shown at trial
A framed photo of Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein kissing was shown at her sex trafficking trial on Tuesday, December 7.
The never-before-seen picture showing them in a clench was sitting on a table at Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion.
Also shown on the table at the pedophile multi-millionaire’s mansion is a picture of the pair meeting Pope John Paul II.
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Maxwell spoke to TV producer
The Miami Herald reported that Ghislaine Maxwell was heard telling ABC News producer James Hill on Wednesday that she was willing to speak to the media.
A US Marshal separated them, and Maxwell reportedly smiled during the encounter with Hill.
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How did Ghislaine Maxwell’s father die?
Ghislaine’s dad Robert Maxwell died in unusual circumstances in 1991 having gone missing after being on his yacht. His body was later uncovered in the water and the official cause of death was put down as accidental drowning following a heart attack.
“I don’t buy a lot of the conspiracy theories at all. It so happens one of the conspiracy theories about my father is that he was murdered rather than committed suicide or died by accident,” Ghislaine’s brother Ian said.
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Epstein ‘bought flowers’ for girls
Jeffrey Epstein would see other women behind socialite Ghislaine Maxwell’s back, her ex-assistant told the court during her testimony in the trial.
Cimberly Espinosa, 55, who was hired by Epstein and then worked for Maxwell for six years, said she was once tasked with buying flowers for another woman.
The witness — the first to testify at the start of Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial defense — described a parade of women visiting billionaire pedophile Epstein in his New York office from 1996 to 2002.
Asked how old they were, she told a court in Manhattan: “Eighteen and over. Young women.”
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Did Maxwell testify?
Maxwell did not testify in her sex trafficking trial.
The British socialite, 59, was said to be “too fragile” to take the witness stand.
Her spokesman said: “Ghislaine Maxwell is unlikely to testify over serious worries she is too fragile and will not be able to acquit herself properly.”
Her family has complained she is not being fed correctly and shackled to and from court.
A friend said: “There are significant concerns about her health.”
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Maxwell’s introduction to Paris Hilton
Christopher Mason claimed that Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly stopped in her tracks and said “oh my God” when she saw Paris Hilton, then 19 years old, at a party in the early 2000s.
Maxwell saw the young socialite at a party and was stunned by her good looks, prompting her to tell a friend Hilton would be “perfect for Jeffrey,” according to the Daily Mail.
Mason recalled the moment in the Lifetime docuseries Surviving Jeffrey Epstein.
“A friend of mine was at a party and Ghislaine said, ‘Oh my god, who is that?’ and was looking at this pretty, younger teenage girl,” he said.
“She said: ‘Do you know her?’”
“My friend said: ‘Yeah, she’s called Paris Hilton‘ and Ghislaine said: ‘Ohhhh she’d be perfect for Jeffrey. Can you introduce us?’”
Source: thesun
