Ghislaine Maxwell Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

JUN 23 2022·Updated SEP 21 2022

Story

Image credit: Associated Press [via NPR]

The Facts

On Tues., Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in helping run Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring.
CNN
In Dec., she was found guilty of five total federal charges: sex trafficking of a minor; transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; and three related counts of conspiracy.
CNN
The US Probation Dept. recommended a 20 year sentence for Maxwell based on federal guidelines for crimes that are heinous and predatory.
NPR
Prosecutors sought a sentence between 30 and 55 years, while her lawyers argued that she should receive well below the 20 years recommended. They cited dangerous jail conditions as well as emotional abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and her father as reasons for leniency.
guardian
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution charges. He was indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking in 2019 and died by suicide in prison a month later. Maxwell was arrested a year later and has since been imprisoned.
CNN
Eight women who say Maxwell abused and manipulated them sent victim impact statements for the court to consider during sentencing. Shortly before the sentencing, Maxwell spoke directly to the victims where she acknowledged her participation in the sex trafficking scheme and said that Epstein should've been present for sentencing.
CNN

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Ghislaine Maxwell is a criminal who facilitated the trafficking and sexual abuse of underage girls for her boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein. She has done horrible things and deserves to be punished to the full extent of the law.

Vanity Fair

Narrative B

Maxwell is herself a victim who was emotionally manipulated by Jeffrey Epstein. Accordingly, she shouldn't be blamed for the full scope of Epstein's heinous crimes. Maxwell is both a perpetrator and a victim.