In 2019, financier Jeffrey Epstein was charged with sex trafficking and abuse and later took his own life in prison. Following his case, attention turned to Epstein’s close associate, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who was accused of involvement in a sex trafficking ring that supplied him with underage girls. Maxwell was found guilty on five charges in December and is set for sentencing today.
Maxwell is expected to be sentenced on three counts as two were considered repetitive by the judge. While her sentence has not been disclosed at this time, prosecutors are advocating for 30 to 55 years in prison. Maxwell’s defense team, in contrast, is requesting a shorter sentence of 4.25 to 5.25 years, arguing that her punishment should not mirror Epstein’s severity.
“Ms. Maxwell has already endured harsh conditions during detention, surpassing those of an average pretrial detainee, and she faces a substantial additional period behind bars,” her lawyers stated. “Her life has been devastated. Since Epstein’s demise, she has been threatened, and these threats persist while she remains in custody.”
Ghislaine Maxwell is set to be sentenced Tuesday for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
The sentencing is the culmination of a prosecution that detailed how the couple lured and exploited girls as young as 14. https://t.co/fV4KbQUGrR
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 28, 2022
Throughout Maxwell’s trial, multiple women identified her as the instigator of their suffering and the abuse inflicted by Epstein due to her actions.
“Judge Nathan, I urge you to take into account the ongoing anguish of the many women Maxwell exploited and abused as you determine the appropriate prison term for her role in this sex trafficking scheme,” Annie Farmer, one of the victims, expressed. “I hope you also consider the broader impact of her crimes – the ways our loved ones, partners, and friends have been affected by our suffering.”
