Federal Judge and U.S. Attorney’s Office Detailed Reasons for Ghislaine Maxwell’s Sex-Crimes Felony Convictions and Her 20-Year Sentence
By Fred Wertheimer
President, Democracy 21
On December 29, 2021, a federal jury found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of five felony counts, including conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and sex trafficking of a minor.
On June 28, 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in jail and a fine of $750,000.
On August 22, 2025, the Justice Department released a transcript of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s highly unusual interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell. In these interviews, Maxwell continued to maintain her innocence, stating in regard to Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual exploitation of minors that “I did not participate in that activity.” A judge and jury found otherwise.
On September 3, 2025, survivors of the Epstein/Maxwell sexual abuses will participate in a press conference sponsored by Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massice at 10:30am at the House Triangle in Washington, D.C.
After the sentencing of Maxwell, Judge Alison Nathan and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York detailed the reasons for Maxwell’s sex-crimes felony convictions and her 20-year jail sentence.
Judge Alison Nathan detailed Maxwell’s crimes in her June 28 sentencing order:
“The evidence at trial established that Ms. Maxwell directly and repeatedly and over the course of many years participated in a horrific scheme to entice, transport, and traffic underage girls, some as young as 14, for sexual abuse by and with Jeffrey Epstein.
“I will pause on those words for a moment, ‘by and with Epstein.’ It is important at the outset to emphasize that although Epstein was, of course, central to this criminal scheme, Ms. Maxwell is not being punished in place of Epstein or as a proxy for Epstein. Like every other participant in a multi-defendant case, Ms. Maxwell is being punished for the role that she played in the criminal conduct. As to that role, the trial evidence established that Ms. Maxwell was instrumental in the abuse of several underage girls and that she herself participated in some of the abuse, and it is her conduct for which she has been convicted in the court under the laws of this country and it is her conduct for which she must be held accountable.”
Judge Nathan further stated:
“Turning to that conduct, the punishment here must reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment for the offense, and deter. First, as to the seriousness, the defendant’s conduct was, as aptly described by the probation department, heinous and predatory. Ms. Maxwell worked with Epstein to select young victims who were vulnerable. Once selected, Ms. Maxwell played a pivotal role in facilitating the abuse of the underaged girls through a series of deceptive tactics. A sophisticated adult woman, she provided an initial venire (sic) of responsibility and even safety. She befriended and developed relationships of trust. She then manipulated the victims and normalized sexual abuse through her involvement, encouragement, and instruction.
“To give one example from trial, Jane testified that Ms. Maxwell cultivated a friendship with her, took her to movies and shopping. In an initial sexual interaction, while Jane was 14 years old, the defendant engaged in sexual conduct with Epstein while Jane was present. After that, the defendant instructed Jane, again, while she was only 14 years old, on how to massage Epstein, including instructions on how to touch his penis during massages. The abuse later escalated to Epstein using vibrators on Jane, penetrating her with his fingers. During some of the sexual abuse, the defendant would herself touch Jane’s breasts.
“Carolyn, the victim of the sex trafficking charge, provides another example. She testified that she confided in the defendant that her mother was an alcohol (sic) and that she had been raped and molested by her grandfather starting at a very young age. The defendant, aware of this knowledge, used it to subject Carolyn to a continuing cycle of sexual abuse. The defendant wasn’t an impassive observer, but herself touched Carolyn’s breasts, again, at the time Carolyn was 14. For years, Carolyn was paid for the sexualized massages, including personally paid by the defendant.
“Similar patterns of conduct were described by other witnesses. Indeed, the criminal conduct established at trial was extensive and it was far-reaching. Ms. Maxwell and Epstein victimized multiple underaged girls using this pattern, this playbook, over the span of many years and in a variety of locations. And the damage done to these young girls was incalculable. They did bravely testify at trial about what happened to them despite the extraordinary difficulty that entailed. They withstood cross-examination from zealous defense counsel and testified credibly at trial about the trauma that they had endured and the painful, horrific, and lasting impact of that trauma. They did so, they told me in their statements, in order to help ensure justice for themselves and others and to do what they could to try to prevent other girls from suffering in the future as they had suffered.
“The sentence I impose must reflect the gravity of Ms. Maxwell’s conduct, of Ms. Maxwell’s offense, the pivotal role she played in facilitating the offense, and the significant and lasting harm it inflicted. So, too, must the sentence promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, and afford adequate deterrence.
“As I have described, this scheme was long-lasting, it was far-reaching, it was horribly damaging to the victims. Just punishment and promotion of respect for the law, it demands a substantialharm.nce that meets the scope of the conduct and the scope of the harm.”
On September 28, 2022, following the 20-year sentence for Ghislaine Maxwell, the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, also issued a statement that included the following comment from then U.S. Attorney Damian Williams:
Today’s sentence holds Ghislaine Maxwell accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children. This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and it is never too late for justice. We again express our gratitude to Epstein and Maxwell’s victims for their courage in coming forward, in testifying at trial, and in sharing their stories as part of today’s sentencing.
The statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office continued:
“According to the allegations in the Indictment, court documents, and evidence presented at trial:
“From at least 1994, up to and including in or about 2004, GHISLAINE MAXWELL assisted, facilitated, and participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims known to MAXWELL and Epstein to be under the age of 18. The victims were as young as 14 years old when they were groomed and abused by MAXWELL and Epstein, both of whom knew that their victims were in fact minors. As a part and in furtherance of their scheme to abuse minor victims, MAXWELL and Epstein enticed and caused minor victims to travel to Epstein’s residences in different states, which MAXWELL knew and intended would result in their grooming for and subjection to sexual abuse.
“MAXWELL enticed and groomed minor girls to be abused in multiple ways. For example, MAXWELL attempted to befriend certain victims by asking them about their lives, their schools, and their families, and taking them to the movies or on shopping trips.
MAXWELL also acclimated victims to Epstein’s conduct simply by being present for victim interactions with Epstein, which put victims at ease by providing the assurance and comfort of an adult woman who seemingly approved of Epstein’s behavior. Additionally, Epstein offered to help some victims by paying for travel and/or educational opportunities, and MAXWELL encouraged certain victims to accept Epstein’s assistance. As a result, victims were made to feel indebted and believed that MAXWELL and Epstein were trying to help them. MAXWELL also normalized and facilitated sexual abuse for a victim by discussing sexual topics, undressing in front of the victim, being present when the victim was undressed, and encouraging the victim to massage Epstein.
“As MAXWELL and Epstein intended, these grooming behaviors left minor victims vulnerable and susceptible to sexual abuse by Epstein. MAXWELL was then present for certain sexual encounters between minor victims and Epstein, such as interactions where a minor victim was undressed, and ultimately was present for sex acts perpetrated by Epstein on minor victims. That abuse included sexualized massages during which a minor victim was fully or partially nude, as well as group sexualized massages of Epstein involving a minor victim where MAXWELL was present. In some instances, MAXWELL participated in the sexual abuse of minor victims.
“Ultimately minor victims were subjected to sexual abuse that included, among other things, the touching of a victim’s breasts or genitals, placing a sex toy such as a vibrator on a victim’s genitals, directing a victim to touch Epstein while he masturbated, and directing a victim to touch Epstein’s genitals. MAXWELL and Epstein’s victims were groomed or abused at Epstein’s residences in New York, Florida, and New Mexico, as well as “MAXWELL’s residence in London, England.
“In the earlier phase of the conspiracy, from at least approximately 1994 through approximately 2001, MAXWELL and Epstein identified vulnerable girls, typically from single-mother households and difficult financial circumstances. This earlier phase required the defendant and Epstein to identify one girl at a time to target for grooming and abuse. In the later phase, from approximately 2001 until at least approximately 2004, MAXWELL and Epstein enticed and recruited, and caused to be enticed and recruited, minor girls to visit Epstein’s Palm Beach Residence to engage in sex acts with Epstein, after which Epstein, MAXWELL, or another employee of Epstein’s would give the victims hundreds of dollars in cash. MAXWELL and Epstein encouraged one or more of those victims to travel with Epstein with the intention that the victim engage in sex acts with Epstein. Moreover, and in order to maintain and increase his supply of victims, MAXWELL and Epstein also paid certain victims to recruit additional girls to be similarly abused by Epstein. In this way, MAXWELL and Epstein created a network of underage victims for Epstein to sexually exploit.”
On September 17, 2024, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld Maxwell’s five felony convictions and her 20-year sentence. On April 10, 2025, Maxwell filed a certiorari petition with the Supreme Court seeking to overturn her convictions. The Court is expected to decide whether to take the case this fall.
Maxwell was originally charged with perjury in Counts 5 and 6 of the indictment of Maxwell.
According to the Indictment, “Moreover, in an effort to conceal her crimes, MAXWELL repeatedly lied when questioned about her conduct, including in relation to some of the minor victims described herein, when providing testimony under oath in 2016.”
Maxwell, however, was never tried on the perjury charges. At Maxwell’s request, the charges were separated from her other counts prior to her 2021 trial. When Maxwell sought a retrial of her sex trafficking charges, prosecutors offered to drop the perjury charges if she was not granted a retrial, which she did not obtain.
Counts 5 and 6 of the Maxwell indictment detail the perjury charges as Forbes details below:
“Maxwell was charged with perjury based on answers she gave in a 2016 deposition regarding Epstein’s alleged abuse and her own complicity. The indictment against her cited multiple comments she made denying any knowledge of Epstein’s alleged abuse: When asked if Epstein had a ‘scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages,’ she responded, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ for instance, and she said she ‘was not aware of anybody that I interacted with” at Epstein’s properties being underage, other than a plaintiff involved in the civil lawsuit. Maxwell also testified under oath she was not aware of any ‘sex toys or devices’ being used at Epstein’s properties, and that she had never personally given Epstein or any of his victims a massage. She also claimed she was unaware of Epstein engaging in ‘sexual activities’ with anyone besides herself and two women she and Epstein had ‘three-way sexual activities with,’ saying in her deposition, ‘I wasn’t aware that he was having sexual activities with anyone when I was with him other than myself.’ When asked again by attorneys to confirm that her testimony was that she was ‘not aware’ of Epstein having any other sexual partners, Maxwell doubled down, saying, ‘That is my testimony, that is correct.’ Her statements conflict with charges in the indictment that Maxwell was later convicted on, which alleged Maxwell conducted massages and was ‘present for and participated in the abuse of minor victims,’ among other allegations.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s Interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell
On July 24 and 25, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had two highly unusual interviews with Maxwell at her prison. No one who had been involved in the Maxwell prosecution was present and the victims that Maxwell had been convicted of trafficking and sexually assaulting reportedly were not informed about the interviews or about the prison transfer that followed.
On August 1, 2025, shortly after the Blanche interviews, it was reported that Maxwell was transferred from her low security prison to a minimum-security prison camp, described as a “country club” by a former warden of another prison. No explanation has been given for the transfer to the prison camp which sex offenders are not normally eligible to serve in.
On August 22, 2025, the Justice Department released the transcripts of Blanche’s interviews with Maxwell. According to the transcripts, Maxwell told Blanche, “I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way. The president was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.”
This statement by Maxwell doesn’t serve to absolve Trump of wrongdoing as her comments address what happened in her presence. Even if her statements in the interview are true, she was not in a position to know what if anything Trump may have done outside her presence. Additionally, Maxwell was indicted for perjury in the past and is reportedly now seeking a pardon from Trump She has already been rewarded by being transferred to what has been described as a “country club” prison camp.
According to The Washington Post:
“‘Someone gave special preference to Maxwell that, to my knowledge, no other inmate currently in the Federal Bureau of Prisons has received,’ said Robert Hood, a former warden of the Florence supermax prison in Colorado, home to some of the world’s most notorious criminals and on the opposite end of the security spectrum from Bryan.
“‘It’s a country club,’ Hood said, of the camp about 100 miles northwest of Houston. ‘Inmates, if they have a sex offense, are not going to a place like that, period. It’s truly unheard of.’
“Long-standing policy from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) restricts inmates with certain elevated security classifications, known as ‘public safety factors,’ from serving in federal prison camps. Sex offenses are among the most severe. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of helping Epstein groom, traffic, and abuse dozens of underage girls.
“Inmates serving sentences of 10 years or more generally aren’t eligible for transfer to minimum-security facilities. This, too, would have applied to Maxwell, who is not due for release until 2037. Exceptions can be made through what’s known as a ‘management variable.’ In Maxwell’s case, prison staff would have had to request this waiver to move her, and senior prison officials would have had to sign off on it, according to BOP policy.
“Victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are alarmed over the Justice Department’s effort to unseal grand jury testimony in their cases and its cooperation with Maxwell, a convicted sex offender.
“Several victims, in letters from their lawyers, have balked at the department’s approach, saying it ‘smacks of a cover up,’ calling aspects of it ‘cowardly,’ and arguing that it demonstrates the Trump administration considers the victims ‘at best, an afterthought.’
“And they warn that the Trump administration, with its treatment of Maxwell, is on the precipice of undoing the only measure of justice the victims received from a sex trafficking ring that, by the government’s own account, harmed more than 1,000 girls and young women.”
Conclusion
Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of engaging in heinous crimes in which she recruited, sex trafficked and sexually abused minor girls. Maxwell did incalculable damage to these minors, according to Judge Nathan.
A travesty of justice by President Trump and the Justice Department is now unfolding before the American people. Maxwell’s recent transfer to a minimum-security prison camp, shortly after her meetings with Blanche, is unexplained, unwarranted special treatment by the Trump Administration for a convicted felon sex trafficker and sex abuser. It is also a brutal insult by the Trump Administration to the victims of Maxwell’s actions.
