United States of America v. Ghislaine Maxwell
Case No. 20-cr-330 (AJN) | U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Charges (Superseding Indictment)
18 U.S.C. 371
18 U.S.C. 2422(b)
18 U.S.C. 371
18 U.S.C. 2423(a)
18 U.S.C. 1594(c)
18 U.S.C. 1591
Case Timeline
FBI agents arrested Ghislaine Maxwell at a 156-acre property she had purchased in December 2019 through an LLC called Granite Reality. Maxwell had been living in hiding since Epstein's death, purchasing the secluded estate for approximately $1.07 million in cash. She was found wrapped in a blanket and attempted to flee to an interior room.
Judge Alison Nathan denied Maxwell's bail application, finding her a significant flight risk due to her wealth, foreign citizenship (British-French), and international connections. Maxwell proposed a $5 million bond package.
A superseding indictment added a sex trafficking charge and a sex trafficking conspiracy charge, expanding the scope of the case. The new indictment added a fourth victim, identified as 'Minor Victim-4,' later identified as Annie Farmer.
Maxwell's multiple subsequent bail applications were repeatedly denied. Her defense team proposed increasingly elaborate bail packages, including a $28.5 million bond. All were rejected due to flight risk concerns.
The trial commenced before Judge Nathan in the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. The jury of twelve was selected from a pool of approximately 600 potential jurors. The trial was projected to last six weeks.
Over approximately four weeks, prosecutors called 24 witnesses. Four accusers testified under pseudonyms or first names: 'Jane' (who described abuse beginning at age 14), 'Kate' (who described abuse beginning at age 17 in London), 'Carolyn' (who described being recruited at 14 by another victim), and Annie Farmer (who testified publicly about abuse at Epstein's New Mexico ranch at age 16).
The defense called nine witnesses over approximately three days, focusing on challenging the accusers' credibility and memories. Maxwell did not testify in her own defense. Defense attorneys argued the accusers' memories had been shaped by media coverage and civil litigation settlements.
After approximately 40 hours of deliberation over five full days, the jury returned guilty verdicts on five of six counts, acquitting Maxwell only on Count 2 (enticement of a specific minor). The verdict was read at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Judge Nathan sentenced Maxwell to 240 months (20 years) in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Prosecutors had requested 30-55 years. Several victims delivered impact statements. Maxwell expressed no remorse and instead shifted blame to Epstein.
Maxwell filed an appeal with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing issues including a juror who failed to disclose his own history of sexual abuse during jury selection, and challenges to the sufficiency of evidence.
Key Trial Witnesses
"Jane" (pseudonym)
Testified that Maxwell befriended her when she was 14 at a summer arts camp in 1994. Described how Maxwell and Epstein groomed her with gifts, attention, and financial support, eventually leading to sexual abuse. She described Maxwell as normalizing Epstein's behavior and sometimes participating. Jane went on to become a successful actress.
"Kate" (pseudonym)
A British woman who testified that Maxwell recruited her in London in 1994 when she was 17. Described how Maxwell introduced her to Epstein at her London home, and how Maxwell gave her specific instructions about how to perform sexual acts on Epstein. Kate testified about numerous encounters across multiple Epstein properties.
"Carolyn" (pseudonym)
Testified she was recruited at age 14 by another victim in Palm Beach, Florida, around 2002. Described visiting Epstein's Palm Beach home over 100 times between ages 14 and 18. Testified that Maxwell touched her body to assess her and that she was paid $300 per visit. Carolyn's testimony was regarded as some of the most powerful in the trial.
Annie Farmer
The only accuser to testify publicly using her full name. Described being groped by Maxwell during a massage at Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1996 when she was 16. Also described Epstein's abuse at his New York residence. Her sister, Maria Farmer, had been one of the earliest people to report Epstein to the FBI in 1996.
Juan Alessi
Epstein's former house manager in Palm Beach for approximately 11 years (1990-2002). Testified about a detailed 58-page employee manual that governed staff behavior, including instructions never to look Epstein in the eye and to 'see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing.' Described young girls regularly visiting the property.
Larry Visoski
Epstein's longtime personal pilot who flew the 'Lolita Express' (Boeing 727) and other aircraft. Testified about flight logs, passenger lists, and Maxwell's role. His testimony established the pattern of travel among Epstein's properties.
Current Status
Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving her 20-year sentence at FCI Tallahassee, a low-security federal correctional institution in Tallahassee, Florida. Her projected release date is July 17, 2037. Maxwell's appeal is pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She has maintained her innocence, asserting in post-trial interviews that she has been made a scapegoat for Epstein's crimes.
Related Cases
Disclaimer: This page presents information compiled from federal court records, trial transcripts, DOJ press releases, and published reporting. Witness identities are presented as they were made public during trial proceedings. Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted by a jury and sentenced by the court; her appeal remains pending. Users are encouraged to consult primary sources for complete context.