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Topics: Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, Sex Trafficking, Donald Trump, Crime, US News
Callum Jones
Topics: Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, Sex Trafficking, Donald Trump, Crime, US News
The Donald Trump administration has made a major call on Jeffrey Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell after she appealed her child sex trafficking conviction.
The 63-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison after a jury found her guilty in 2021 of luring teenage girls for convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, and conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The former socialite was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
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According to ABC, lawyers for Maxwell have argued against her conviction, claiming she should have been covered by a non-prosecution agreement previously made between Epstein and the US government.
Maxwell has made numerous attempts to secure a retrial in recent years, all of which have been denied by federal courts.
The Department of Justice on Monday (July 14) urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Maxwell's most recent appeal, despite the former socialite's team stating their case.
"Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein," her attorneys penned to SCOTUS back in April.
Following Monday's verdict, David Oscar Markus, an attorney for Maxwell penned: "I'd be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal.
"He's the ultimate dealmaker—and I'm sure he'd agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it.
"With all the talk about who's being prosecuted and who isn't, it's especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke."
Sigrid McCawley, who represented hundreds of Epstein's alleged victims, praised the call from the Trump administration and has said Maxwell should remain behind bars.
McCawley told ABC News: "After two-plus decades of recruiting and abusing young girls trapped in Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking enterprise, Ghislaine Maxwell has again attempted to escape accountability by trying to hide behind the non-prosecution agreement.
"Maxwell does not deserve any protection, and she should remain in prison for the horrific crimes she committed."
While the Supreme Court can go against DOJ advice, it appears unlikely with this case considering the number of appeals Maxwell has already had rejected.