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Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 YEARS in prison for sex trafficking: 'She deserves every second'

Before her sentence was delivered, Maxwell acknowledged that her friendship with Epstein will 'forever and permanently' stain her

British socialite turned-convicted sex-trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in helping convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein abuse young girls. US District Judge Alison Nathan said the sentence of 240 months was “sufficient and not greater than necessary" for Maxwell. She has also been ordered to pay a $750,000 fine for her role in the crime.

Maxwell, 60, was seen hugging her attorney before leaving the courtroom. She was seen in blue jail scrubs and her ankles in shackles. She did not speak to her siblings, seated in the row behind her. “To you, to you, all the victims who came in court and those outside I am sorry for the pain that you experienced,” Maxwell said before leaving. “I hope my conviction and harsh incarceration brings you closure.”

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Before her sentence was delivered, Maxwell acknowledged that her friendship with Epstein will “forever and permanently” stain her. “I believe that Jeffrey Epstein was a manipulative, cunning and controlling man who lived a profoundly compartmentalized life and fooled all of those in his orbit,” she said. “It is the greatest regret of my life that I ever met Jeffrey Epstein." She added that Epstein “should have been here before all of you.” In 2019, Epstein died in an apparent suicide while he was in federal custody. The 66-year-old was facing up to 45 years in prison on charges of sex-trafficking several teenage girls.

“Today is not about Epstein. It is for me to ultimately be sentenced," she admitted. She also said, "It is my sincerest wish to all those in this courtroom and all those outside the courtroom that this day brings a terrible chapter to an end. To those of who spoke here today and those who did not, may this day help you travel from darkness into the light.”

Prosecutors had urged Nathan to sentence Maxwell to at least 30 and up to 55 years in prison, so that her punishment “sends a message that those who conspire with sexual predators will be held responsible for their significant role in these crimes.” However, Maxwell’s defense attorneys had said that she deserves no more than four to five years. Probation officials had recommended 20 years, which she finally received.

“Today’s sentence holds Ghislaine Maxwell accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children,” US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said in a statement. “This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law and it is never too late for justice.” Maxwell's attorneys requested that she serve out her time at the federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, the low-security women’s lockup.

Maxwell was convicted on December 29, 2021, of recruiting and grooming underage girls for him for several years. Maxwell was convicted of almost all counts, with the top charge being sex trafficking of minors, which carries a maximum of 40 years in prison. The other counts Maxwell was found guilty of are conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. While both the first and second counts carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison, the third carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and the fourth carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison. She was acquitted of count 2, which involved enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.

Meanwhile, social media welcomed the sentence, saying Maxwell deserved what she got. "Ghislaine Maxwell. She deserves every second of that 20 years. A pity that it’s only 20 years and not more - and that Epstein got away by committing “suicide!” Still, somehow, I hate her even more because of her disgraceful father. The whole family repulses me!" one user wrote. "I know this was a bombshell day at the Jan 6 hearing, but this 20 yr sentence brought me such relief. She’s a POS child predator who deserves it all! Unreal she didn’t turn on Donald and Melania, but that seems to be the way these cult followers role," wrote another. One user said, "Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20yrs in prison today and she fu***** deserves it."

"So glad to hear that Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison. I’m hoping she does not get out on a technicality," one user wrote, while another said, "I'm glad that sole actor Ghislaine Maxwell has received the punishment that she, and only she, should receive. Justice has indeed been done".