Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend and confidante Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested by the FBI in New Hampshire Thursday morning on multiple sex abuse charges, including conspiracy to sexually abuse minors.
“Maxwell assisted, facilitated and contributed to Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims,” the six-count indictment in Manhattan federal court states. “In some instances, Maxwell was present for and participated in the sexual abuse of minor victims.”
Acting US Atty Audrey Strauss: "Maxwell was among Epstein's closest associates & helped him exploit girls who were as young as 14 years old. [She] played a critical role in helping Epstein to identify, befriend & groom minor victims for abuse. In some cases Maxwell participated." pic.twitter.com/iCo1LrWw5T
— The Hill (@thehill) July 2, 2020
The indictment alleges that Maxwell recruited and helped groom girls as young as 14 years old, going back as far as 1994.
The Ghislaine Maxwell indictment also claims both that she had an “intimate relationship” with Epstein from 94-97 and was on his pay roll. pic.twitter.com/RFjRZGaehM
— Ben Riley-Smith (@benrileysmith) July 2, 2020
One victim, Annie Farmer claims that both Epstein and Maxwell sexually abused her at Epstein’s New Mexico ranch.
Farmer filed a civil suit seeking damages from Maxwell and Epstein’s $634 million estate, but a judge delayed questioning in the suit on the grounds that Maxwell’s sworn testimony could incriminate her in a potential criminal case.
The British socialite was taken into custody at 8:30 a.m. in Bedford, N.H., and is expected to appear in a federal court later today. Prior to her arrest, she had reportedly been hiding out in Paris.
Maxwell, the daughter of late British media magnate Robert Maxwell, has been accused in civil court filings of facilitating a sex-trafficking operation that brought girls — some as young as 14 — to Epstein’s Manhattan home, though until Thursday she had not been formally charged with any criminal wrongdoing.
While there have been reports that there were several others who “facilitated” Epstein’s alleged sexual abuse also being investigated, the main focus has been on Maxwell.
Maxwell, 58, dated Epstein more than a decade ago and became a member of his tight inner circle until his August 10 jail-cell suicide.
At the time of his suspicious death on August 10, 2019, Epstein was awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Two guards who were supposed to be monitoring the 66-year old, now face federal charges for not checking on him as required and falsifying log entries to claim they had.
As news spread that Maxwell had finally been arrested, a familiar meme surfaced on Twitter:
Jeffery Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell has been arrested and has sadly committed suicide next week.
— Chad Prather (@WatchChad) July 2, 2020
Ghislaine did not kill herself.
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) July 2, 2020
Let me be the first to say that…
Ghislaine Maxwell did not kill herself.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) July 2, 2020