Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking

Ghislaine Maxwell has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for trafficking girls to have sex with Jeffrey Epstein and sexually abusing them herself, according to Insider.

Additionally, she will be fined $750,000 and must be on probation for five years after finishing her prison sentence.

While prosecutors pushed for a 30-55 year sentence, the probation department recommended 20 years, CNN reported. Meanwhile, her attorney requested that she only serve between 4 and 5 years.

“The damage done to these girls is incalculable,” said Manhattan Federal District Court Judge Alison J. Nathan, who oversaw the trial.

“Today’s sentence holds Ghislaine Maxwell accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law and it is never too late for justice. We again express our gratitude to Epstein and Maxwell’s victims for their courage in coming forward, in testifying at trial, and in sharing their stories as part of today’s sentencing.”

Maxwell, now 60 years old, said that she “empathized deeply” with the victims but she took no responsibility for the crimes committed against them. Instead, she placed most blame on Epstein, insinuating that she is being punished for the crimes he committed.

“We all know that the person who should have been sentenced today escaped accountability, avoided his victims, avoided absorbing their pain and receiving the punishment he truly deserved,” said Bobbi Sternheim, Maxwell’s defense attorney. “Jeffrey Epstein left Ghislaine Maxwell holding the whole bag.”