JURY VERDICT — UNITED STATES v. GHISLAINE MAXWELL Case No. S2 20 Cr. 330 (AJN) — Southern District of New York Verdict Returned December 29, 2021
On December 29, 2021, a twelve-member federal jury returned a verdict finding Ghislaine Maxwell guilty on five of six counts in the superseding indictment. The verdict came after approximately 40 hours of deliberation spread over five full days, following a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan.
COUNTS AND VERDICT:
Count One — Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts: GUILTY The jury found beyond a reasonable doubt that Maxwell conspired with Epstein between 1994 and 1997 to entice minor girls to travel for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity.
Count Two — Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts: NOT GUILTY This was the sole acquittal. The count related specifically to the victim identified at trial as "Jane" and the jury found the government had not met its burden on this individual count.
Count Three — Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity: GUILTY The jury found that Maxwell conspired with Epstein between 2001 and 2004 to transport minors across state lines for illegal sexual purposes.
Count Four — Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity: GUILTY This count related to the transportation of a specific minor victim for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual activity.
Count Five — Sex trafficking conspiracy: GUILTY Maxwell was found guilty of conspiring with Epstein to recruit, entice, and transport minors for commercial sex acts between 2001 and 2004.
Count Six — Sex trafficking of a minor: GUILTY The most serious charge in the indictment. The jury found that Maxwell engaged in sex trafficking of a minor, which carried a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment.
TRIAL EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY:
The government presented testimony from four women who were minors at the time of the alleged abuse, identified at trial by the pseudonyms "Jane," "Kate," "Carolyn," and "Annie Farmer" (who testified using her real name). Each described how Maxwell befriended them, normalized sexual discussions and contact, and facilitated encounters with Epstein.
"Jane" testified that she was 14 years old when Maxwell and Epstein began abusing her at Epstein's Palm Beach estate in the mid-1990s. "Carolyn" testified that she was recruited by another victim at age 14 and was paid $300 per visit to the Palm Beach house. Annie Farmer described being invited to Epstein's New Mexico ranch as a 16-year-old, where Maxwell gave her an unsolicited and inappropriate massage.
The prosecution also called former Epstein employees, including his longtime house manager Juan Alessi, his personal pilot Larry Visoski, and other household staff. Alessi testified about a detailed household manual that instructed staff to "see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing" and described young girls visiting the Palm Beach estate.
DEFENSE CASE:
Maxwell's defense attorneys, led by Bobbi Sternheim and Jeffrey Pagliuca, argued that Maxwell was being scapegoated for Epstein's crimes and that the victims' memories were unreliable after decades. The defense presented expert testimony on the fallibility of memory and challenged the credibility of each accusing witness. Maxwell did not take the stand in her own defense.
JURY COMPOSITION AND DELIBERATIONS:
The anonymous jury comprised six men and six women, plus six alternates. Deliberations began on December 20, 2021, and the jury sent multiple notes to Judge Nathan requesting testimony readbacks, exhibit reviews, and clarification of legal instructions. The extended deliberation period was seen by legal analysts as a sign that the jury was taking a careful and thorough approach to the evidence.
REACTION:
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated after the verdict: "A jury has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of one of the worst crimes imaginable — facilitating and participating in the sexual abuse of children." Victims' attorney Sigrid McCawley called the verdict "a victory for all victims of sexual abuse." Maxwell's family expressed disappointment and indicated she would appeal.