Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty in the case accusing her of luring and grooming underage girls for sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein

 

Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty in the case accusing her of luring and grooming underage girls for sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein

Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of engaging in a 10-year sex-trafficking scheme with Jeffrey Epstein, a verdict that offers long-delayed justice for his victims. The British socialite was convicted Wednesday in Manhattan federal court after the jurors deliberated for about five days. They found her guilty of five of the charges against her, including sex-trafficking of a minor, which carries a possible prison sentence of up to 40 years. 

Maxwell, 60, didn’t appear to have any reaction to the verdict, at one point brushing her hair aside and taking a drink of water. Before, while waiting for the jury to return to the courtroom, she looked down with her hands clasped, as if praying.

“The road to justice has been far too long,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement. “But, today, justice has been done. 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.”

Tears, Vindication and Relief: Maxwell Accusers React to Verdict

Defense lawyer Bobbi Sternheim told reporters on the courthouse steps Wednesday evening that Maxwell’s conviction would be appealed.

“We firmly believe in Ghislaine’s innocence,” Sternheim said. “Obviously we are very disappointed with the verdict. We have already started working on the appeal and we are confident she will be vindicated.” 

Maxwell’s siblings, who have attended the trial regularly, didn’t comment as they left the courthouse.

She faces as long as 65 years in prison if she’s sentenced consecutively on all five counts. No sentencing date was set for Maxwell, who still faces a separate trial on perjury charges.

The crowd outside the Manhattan federal courthouse after the Ghislaine Maxwell verdict was read.