UNITED STATES v. GHISLAINE MAXWELL
Southern District of New York
Case No. 20-cr-330
CHARGES:
1. Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
2. Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
3. Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in illegal sex activity
4. Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sex activity
5. Sex trafficking conspiracy
6. Sex trafficking of a minor
THE FOUR ACCUSERS (testified using pseudonyms or first names):
"Jane" — Testified she was 14 when abuse began in 1994. Met Maxwell and Epstein at a summer music camp. Maxwell normalized sexual contact.
"Kate" — British woman, testified she was 17 when introduced to Epstein by Maxwell in London in the mid-1990s. Described being flown to various properties.
"Carolyn" — Testified she was 14 when recruited in early 2000s in Palm Beach. Was paid $300 per visit. Described being recruited by another young girl.
"Annie Farmer" — Testified under her real name. Was 16 in 1996 when invited to Zorro Ranch. Described Maxwell giving her a topless massage. Later abused at NYC townhouse.
KEY PROSECUTION WITNESSES:
— Juan Alessi (former house manager, 11 years)
— Larry Visoski (pilot, 25+ years)
— Multiple FBI agents
— Palm Beach PD detective Joseph Recarey
KEY EVIDENCE PRESENTED:
— Flight logs
— Photographs found in Epstein's properties
— Maxwell's personal documents and emails
— Financial records showing payments
— Employee testimony about daily operations
DEFENSE ARGUMENT:
Maxwell's lawyers argued she was being scapegoated as a "stand-in" for Epstein, who could no longer face trial.
VERDICT (December 29, 2021):
GUILTY on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
NOT GUILTY on count 2 (enticement charge related to "Jane")
SENTENCE (June 28, 2022):
20 years in federal prison
Currently incarcerated at FCI Tallahassee
APPEAL (September 2024): Maxwell's appeal was heard by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. On September 17, 2024, the court issued a unanimous ruling affirming Maxwell's conviction on all counts. The panel rejected arguments about juror misconduct, evidentiary errors, and sentencing issues. Maxwell remains incarcerated at FCI Tallahassee with an earliest possible release date in 2037.
The Maxwell Trial
The Maxwell Trial
Nov-Dec 2021Legal
UNITED STATES v. GHISLAINE MAXWELL
Southern District of New York
Case No. 20-cr-330
CHARGES:
1. Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
2. Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
3. Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in illegal sex activity
4. Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sex activity
5. Sex trafficking conspiracy
6. Sex trafficking of a minor
THE FOUR ACCUSERS (testified using pseudonyms or first names):
"Jane" — Testified she was 14 when abuse began in 1994. Met Maxwell and Epstein at a summer music camp. Maxwell normalized sexual contact.
"Kate" — British woman, testified she was 17 when introduced to Epstein by Maxwell in London in the mid-1990s. Described being flown to various properties.
"Carolyn" — Testified she was 14 when recruited in early 2000s in Palm Beach. Was paid $300 per visit. Described being recruited by another young girl.
"Annie Farmer" — Testified under her real name. Was 16 in 1996 when invited to Zorro Ranch. Described Maxwell giving her a topless massage. Later abused at NYC townhouse.
KEY PROSECUTION WITNESSES:
— Juan Alessi (former house manager, 11 years)
— Larry Visoski (pilot, 25+ years)
— Multiple FBI agents
— Palm Beach PD detective Joseph Recarey
KEY EVIDENCE PRESENTED:
— Flight logs
— Photographs found in Epstein's properties
— Maxwell's personal documents and emails
— Financial records showing payments
— Employee testimony about daily operations
DEFENSE ARGUMENT:
Maxwell's lawyers argued she was being scapegoated as a "stand-in" for Epstein, who could no longer face trial.
VERDICT (December 29, 2021):
GUILTY on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
NOT GUILTY on count 2 (enticement charge related to "Jane")
SENTENCE (June 28, 2022):
20 years in federal prison
Currently incarcerated at FCI Tallahassee
APPEAL (September 2024): Maxwell's appeal was heard by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. On September 17, 2024, the court issued a unanimous ruling affirming Maxwell's conviction on all counts. The panel rejected arguments about juror misconduct, evidentiary errors, and sentencing issues. Maxwell remains incarcerated at FCI Tallahassee with an earliest possible release date in 2037.