EPSTEIN
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Today, after many years, Ghislaine Maxwell finally stands charged for her role in these crimes."
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: "Preserving the innocence of children is among the
most important responsibilities we carry as adults. Like Epstein, Ms. Maxwell chose to blatantly disregard the
law and her responsibility as an adult, using whatever means she had at her disposal to lure vulnerable youth into
behavior they should never have been exposed to, creating the potential for lasting harm. We know the quest for
justice has been met with great disappointment for the victims, and that reliving these events is traumatic. The
example set by the women involved has been a powerful one. They persevered against the rich and connected,
and they did so without a badge, a gun, or a subpoena - and they stood together. I have no doubt the bravery
exhibited by the women involved here has empowered others to speak up about the crimes of which they've been
subjected."
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: "The heinous crimes these charges allege are, and always will
be abhorrent for the lasting trauma they inflict on victims. I commend our investigators, and law enforcement
partners, for their continuing commitment to bringing justice to the survivors of sexual assault, everywhere."
If you believe you are a victim of the sexual abuse perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein, please contact
the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI, and reference this case.
According to the Indictment[l I unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:
From at least 1994 through at least 1997, GHISLAINE MAXWELL assisted, facilitated, and participated
in Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Jeffrey Epstein to recruit, groom, and
ultimately abuse victims known to MAXWELL and Epstein to be under the age of 18. The victims were as
young as 14 years old when they were groomed and abused by MAXWELL and Epstein, both of whom knew
that their victims were in fact minors. As a part and in furtherance of their scheme to abuse minor victims,
MAXWELL and Epstein enticed and caused minor victims to travel to Epstein's residences in different states,
which MAXWELL knew and intended would result in their grooming for and subjection to sexual abuse.
As alleged, MAXWELL enticed and groomed minor girls to be abused in multiple ways. For example,
MAXWELL attempted to befriend certain victims by asking them about their lives, taking them to the movies or
taking them on shopping trips, and encouraging their interactions with Epstein. MAXWELL also acclimated
victims to Epstein's conduct simply by being present for victim interactions with Epstein, which put victims at
ease by providing the assurance and comfort of an adult woman who seemingly approved of Epstein's behavior.
Additionally, to make victims feel indebted to Epstein, MAXWELL would encourage victims to accept offers of
financial assistance from Epstein, including offers to pay for travel or educational expenses. MAXWELL also
normalized and facilitated sexual abuse by discussing sexual topics with victims, encouraging them to massage
Epstein, and undressing in front of a victim.
As MAXWELL and Epstein intended, these grooming behaviors left minor victims vulnerable and
susceptible to sexual abuse by Epstein. MAXWELL was then present for certain sexual encounters between
minor victims and Epstein, such as interactions where a minor victim was undressed, and ultimately MAXWELL
was present for sex acts perpetrated by Epstein on minor victims. That abuse included sexualized massages
during which a minor victim was fully or partially nude, as well as group sexualized massages of Epstein
involving a minor victim where MAXWELL was present.
As alleged, minor victims were subjected to sexual abuse that included, among other things, the touching
of a victim's breasts or genitals, placing a sex toy such a vibrator on a victim's genitals, directing a victim to
touch Epstein while he masturbated, and directing a victim to touch Epstein's genitals. MAXWELL and
Epstein's victims were groomed or abused at Epstein's residences in New York, Florida, and New Mexico, as
well as MAXWELL's residence in London, England.
Additionally, in 2016, while testifying under oath in a civil proceeding, MAXWELL repeatedly made
false statements, including about certain specific acts and events alleged in the Indictment.
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GHISLAINE MAXWELL, 58, is charged with one count of enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal
sex acts, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of conspiracy to entice a minor to
travel to engage in illegal sex acts, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of
transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of
years in prison, one count of conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual