Ghislaine Maxwell indictment: How Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam groomed his victims

Jeffrey Epstein's longtime confidant and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested Thursday and is facing multiple sex abuse charges stemming from an alleged sex trafficking conspiracy involving underage girls.

In a six-count indictment unsealed after her arrest, prosecutors allege Maxwell enticed minors to travel to Epstein's multiple residences-- including a multi-story apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, his residence in Palm Beach, Fla., his ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and to Maxwell's house in London-- to engage in illegal sex acts

Prosecutors say that from 1994 to at least 1997 Maxwell -- who dated Epstein while the alleged abuses were taking place -- "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" whom they knew were under the age of 18.

Maxwell allegedly attempted to befriend the girls, some who were as young as 14, by "asking the victims about their lives, their schools, and their families."

Prosecutors allege that both Maxwell and Epstein spent time with the girls, taking them on outings to the movies or shopping trips in an attempt to court them and gain their trust.

Maxwell, 58, would also "try to normalize sexual abuse" by discussing sexual topics, undressing in front of the victims, or being present during sexual encounters between the girls and Epstein, which "helped put the victims at ease because an adult woman was present."... (Read more)

Latest News