Overview
Annie Farmer was one of four victim-witnesses at the December 2021 federal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell. Unlike the other three witnesses — Carolyn, Jane, and Kate — who testified under first names only or pseudonyms, Annie Farmer testified publicly using her real name, making her the most publicly identified of the Maxwell trial victim-witnesses.
Background and Recruitment
Annie Farmer was approximately 16 years old when she was brought into Epstein’s network in 1996. Her older sister, Maria Farmer, had worked for Epstein in New York and had been a victim of abuse herself. Maria Farmer was among the earliest people to report Epstein’s conduct — she contacted the FBI in 1996, a report that was not acted upon.
Annie’s connection to Epstein came through her sister’s association with him. She was brought to Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1996, where she testified she was abused by Epstein with Maxwell’s assistance.
Maxwell Trial Testimony
At Maxwell’s trial, Annie Farmer testified about what she experienced at Zorro Ranch. Her testimony was significant because it addressed conduct at a location other than Palm Beach or New York, expanding the geographic scope of the documented abuse. She described Maxwell’s active participation — not passive knowledge — in the abuse.
Annie Farmer’s decision to testify publicly under her real name was itself a statement: she has said she wanted accountability and believed that putting her name to her account was part of that.
Ongoing Advocacy
Annie Farmer has continued to speak publicly following the trial and Maxwell’s conviction. She has advocated for survivors of trafficking and for institutional reforms, including changes to how modeling industry relationships are regulated and how institutions respond to trafficking complaints.
Her sister Maria Farmer, who reported Epstein to the FBI in 1996 and received no response, has also been a public voice on the institutional failure aspects of the case.
Context: The Four Maxwell Trial Witnesses
The four victim-witnesses at Maxwell’s trial were:
- Carolyn (pseudonym): testified about abuse starting at age 14
- Jane (pseudonym): testified about years-long abuse starting in early adolescence
- Kate (pseudonym): British witness who testified about being introduced to Epstein by Maxwell
- Annie Farmer: testified publicly under real name about 1996 Zorro Ranch abuse
Sources
Maxwell trial transcript; Annie Farmer public statements; Maria Farmer FBI report documentation; coverage of Maxwell trial victim testimony; post-trial victim advocacy coverage.