The former partner to Jeffrey Epstein is set to face 20 years in prison.

Former partner and associate of Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for being an accomplice in sexually abusing and sex-trafficking girls as young as 14.Maxwell, 60, was convicted in November of recruiting and trafficking teenage girls for sexual abuse by Epstein, her then-boyfriend.Epstein was reportedly abusing young girls in his properties in New York, Florida, New Mexico, and his private island on the US Virgin Islands Little St James, known by locals as 'paedophile island'. He committed suicide in 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell.

The crimes took place over a span of 10 years, 1994-2004, Maxwell stated, "My association with Epstein will permanently stain me". Maxwell's attorneys had pushed for leniency in sentencing, saying that she should receive "well below" the 20 years recommended by federal probation officials.Prosecutors pushed for a sentence of 30 to 55 years in prison.In addition to sex trafficking, Maxwell was convicted of conspiracy to entice teenagers under the age of 17 with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity.

The presiding Judge, Judge Nathan said that although "Epstein was central to this scheme" she was not being sentenced "as a proxy" for him. The judge added Maxwell's involvement were "heinous and predatory".One of the victims stated, "Today, I can look at Ghislaine and tell her that I became what I am today in spite of her and her efforts to make me feel powerless and insignificant, and I will cast that empowerment on my daughter." and added that Maxwell's apology felt "hollow" and believes she has failed to take responsibility for the crimes she committed.

Maxwell has remained in custody since her arrest in July 2020 and will serve her sentence at an unnamed prison.