Breaking News
Ghislaine Maxwell Guilty Of Sex Trafficking & Four Other Federal Charges
Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted Wednesday of sex trafficking and four other federal charges like transporting minors for “illegal sexual activities,” and three other counts of conspiracy.
She was found guilty in five of six charges related to Jeffrey Epstein's sexual case that involved minors over the course of 2004 to 2014.
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Ghislaine Maxwell Found Guilty
It was the fifth full day of deliberations when Maxwell was sentenced to 70 years in prison.
Throughout those years, Maxwell apparently groomed minors aged 14 and talked to them sexually, citing how they would be perfect for Epstein and his colleagues' liking.
It was told on the report that she even touched girls' hips, buttocks, and breasts and how she would talk to them about sexual topics.
Even telling them to prepare to give Epstein sexual massages when they meet him.
Epstein was first convicted in a Florida state court in 2008 for solicitation of prostitution involving a minor and served 13 months before being granted a work release. He was again arrested in 2019 and was found dead in his Manhattan cell in August of the same year after he committed suicide.
RELATED: Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s Confidant and Ex-Girlfriend, Faces Sexual Abuse Charges
Ghislaine Maxwell Defense
In Maxwell's camp, her defense lawyer Bobbi Sternheim claimed that they were very disappointed with how the verdict came about and that they're filing for an appeal to possibly overturn the verdict.
“We are very disappointed with the verdict,” Sternheim said. “We have already started working on the appeal and we are confident she will be vindicated.”
At the same time, the family of the British socialite also expressed their disapproval and still believed in Maxwell's innocence.
“We believe firmly in our sister’s innocence – we are very disappointed with the verdict,” Maxwell's sister revealed in a statement. “We have already started the appeal tonight and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated”.
Victims Talk In Ghislaine Maxwell Trial
The girls involved in the case went in front of the judge and recalled the disturbing details of Maxwell and Epstein's antics during those years.
US Attorney Damian Williams commended the victims for their bravery to show up in court and put an end to this trial.
“The road to justice has been far too long. But, today, justice has been done,” Williams said. “I want to commend the bravery of the girls — now grown women — who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom. Their courage and willingness to face their abuser made this case, and today's result, possible.”
One of the victims was Virginia Giuffre. She braved her own story and revealed how the partners-in-crime ruined their lives, claiming that other people involved in the crime should be held accountable as well.
“Having lived with the horrors of Maxwell’s abuse, my heart goes out to the many other girls and young women who suffered at her hands and whose lives she destroyed,” Giuffre said. “I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served. Maxwell did not act alone. Others must be held accountable. I have faith that they will be.”
Earlier this month, Maxwell didn't testify to defend herself.
Watch this video from The Independent to see how the Ghislaine Maxwell case unfolded in court:
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