Ghislaine Maxwell Files For Appeal Against Sex Trafficking Sentence
Ghislaine Maxwell is appealing her 20-year sentence sentence for sex trafficking young girls.
The former British socialite was sentenced in June after she was found guilty of trafficking the girls for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein between 1994 and 2004.
She had previously been convicted in December 2021 for five of the six charges brought against her.
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These included 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 and sex trafficking of minors.
While she apologised to her victims during her June sentencing, she has now paid £420 to file the necessary documents to appeal her sentence.
Maxwell's trial last year lasted for three weeks and saw the 60-year-old described as 'dangerous' for her ability to entice teenagers into Epstein's world of abuse.
Maxwell was also fined $750,000 for her crimes which Judge Nathan described as being 'heinous and predatory'.
A statement from one of Maxwell's victims, Virginia Giuffre, pictured below with Prince Andrew, was read out by her attorney Sigrid McCawley.
Giuffre said: "For me, and for so many others, you opened the door to hell."
Maxwell said at her sentencing: "I empathise deeply with all the victims in this case.
"I realise I have been convicted of assisting Jeffrey Epstein to commit these crimes. My association with Epstein will permanently stain me. It is the biggest regret of my life that I ever met him.
"I believe Jeffrey Epstein fooled all of those in his orbit. His victims considered him a mentor, friend, lover."
The Independent reports that the former socialite has asked to serve her sentence at a minimum security prison in Connecticut, FCI Danbury.
Maxwell also discussed her former associate Epstein at her sentencing in June, describing him as a 'manipulative, cunning and controlling man' who had 'fooled all of those in his orbit.'
"Despite the positive things I have done in my life, I know my association with Epstein will forever stain me," she said.
Maxwell's defence had previously argued for a reduction in her sentence because she was allegedly abused by her father and later Epstein himself.
The US Court of Appeals will now process Maxwell's appeal against her sentence.
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Emma Guinness