British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on federal sex trafficking charges Wednesday of playing
a pivotal role in recruiting and grooming
teenagers to be sexually abused by her close confidante, billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
A jury of six men and six women reached the verdict Wednesday after six days of deliberation in the sex trafficking trial, which was held in New York City.
Maxwell was found guilty of five of the six federal charges she was charged with and faces
up to 65 years in prison
.
An alleged victim of Jeffrey Epstein makes strong revelations in the trial against Ghislaine Maxwell
Dec. 8, 202103: 20
Among the charges against him are conspiracy to incite a minor to travel to participate in illegal sexual acts and to transport her for that purpose and conspiracy for the sex trafficking of minors, among others.
She was found not guilty of a similar charge for carrying a minor for illicit sexual activities (which carried a five-year sentence).
The jury weighed the evidence and the testimony of
about 30 witnesses
who alleged that Maxwell played a pivotal role in recruiting and preparing adolescent girls to be sexually abused by Epstein.
Maxwell, who turned 60 on December 25, was arrested in July 2020. The daughter of publishing mogul Robert Maxwell, a well-known person in New York celebrity circles, immediately made headlines for her relationship with Epstein.
The jury began deliberating on Monday of last week, asking to review the statements of the four women who testified against Maxwell, as well as Epstein's key exam, Juan Patricio Alessi, who testified that he regularly saw two of them at the mansion. of Epstein in Palm Beach.
The judge asked the jury if they would like to continue deliberating on Thursday, but they refused to continue with the process as the holiday weekend arrives.
They returned on Monday and requested more testimony transcripts, highlighters, a white paper board, sticky notes and the definition of the word "seduction."