In a separate lawsuit by another Epstein victim, Maxwell was described as the ''highest-ranking employee'' in the alleged sex trafficking operation. One of the most controversial accusations leveled against Maxwell was a claim by one Epstein victim, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who said the socialite arranged for her to have sex with Britain's Prince Andrew at Maxwell's London townhouse. They also said she should not be placed in home confinement with an electronic monitoring device, because she could easily take the device off. Prosecutors have asked for Maxwell to be detained while on trial, as they have deemed her a flight risk. If found guilty, she could face up to 35 years in prison, the indictment read. ''The victims were as young as 14-years-old when they were groomed and abused by Maxwell and Epstein, both of whom knew that certain victims were in fact under the age of 18,'' the indictment read. She allegedly lured them by asking them about their lives, schools and families and taking them shopping or to movies. The indictment accuses Maxwell of luring the girls starting in 1994 and through 1997. In some cases, Maxwell participated in the abuse herself." Maxwell is accused of luring in underage girls into Epstein's circle where they were later abused Image: Getty Images/L. Maxwell has been accused of playing "a critical role in helping Epstein to identify, befriend and groom minor victims for abuse. Maxwell has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has said that many of the claims against her are "absolute rubbish."Īn unsealed indictment shows Maxwell charged with six counts, which include enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and two counts of perjury, among other related offenses. Maxwell was ordered to be held in temporary detention pending a transfer to the Southern District of New York, where she is to be tried. She later appeared before a local magistrate via a video link accessible by telephone to journalists and the public. Maxwell, who was also Epstein's girlfriend at one point, has been accused of luring underage girls into the late billionaire's circle, where he and his friends allegedly sexually abused them.įBI spokesman Marty Feely said Maxwell was taken into custody around 8:30 a.m. local time. Each charge carries a maximum prison term of five to 40 years.Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite who was a longtime friend of the late accused sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested by the FBI on Thursday in the US state of New Hampshire. Jurors deliberated for five full days before finding Maxwell guilty of five of six counts. Four women testified that they were abused as teenagers in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epstein’s homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico. The jury’s verdict capped a monthlong trial featuring sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14. “We have already started the appeal tonight, and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated.” We are very disappointed with the verdict,” read the statement. “We believe firmly in our sister’s innocence. > RELATED: Ghislaine Maxwell convicted in Jeffrey Epstein sex abuse case In a statement issued late Wednesday, the Maxwell family said it would support the British socialite’s efforts to appeal her conviction. LONDON > Members of Ghislaine Maxwell’s family say they still believe she is innocent after a New York jury found her guilty of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by American millionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
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