Question
What were the exact crimes Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of?
Answer
Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on December 29, 2021 by a Manhattan federal jury on five of six counts in her federal trial:
Counts of conviction:
- Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts — Guilty
- Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts — Guilty
- Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity — Guilty
- Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity — Guilty
- Sex trafficking of minors (one count) — Guilty
Count of acquittal: 6. Sex trafficking of minors (second count, involving “Carolyn”) — Not guilty (jury was deadlocked on the principal charge but the conviction on the conspiracy count still stood)
The trial centered on four named victims identified by pseudonyms at trial (Jane, Kate, Carolyn, and Annie Farmer, who used her real name). The crimes covered conduct from approximately 1994 to 2004.
Sentencing: On June 28, 2022, Judge Alison Nathan sentenced Maxwell to 20 years in federal prison and a $750,000 fine.
Current incarceration: Maxwell is serving her sentence at FCI Tallahassee in Florida. Her projected release date is 2037, though she could be eligible for earlier release with good-conduct credits.
Appeals: Maxwell appealed her conviction to the Second Circuit. The appeal was denied. She then sought certiorari to the Supreme Court on the question of whether juror non-disclosure during voir dire (jury selection) warranted a new trial — the Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
Sources
Maxwell trial transcripts (SDNY Case 20-cr-330); Judge Nathan sentencing memorandum June 2022; Second Circuit appeal ruling.