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NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsAugust 25, 2026Hillsborough

Federal judge denies Ghislaine Maxwell's request to overturn sex trafficking conviction

A federal judge rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's petition to set aside her sex trafficking conviction and 20-year prison sentence, ruling that her claims of withheld evidence and false testimony were meritless. The court found that Maxwell's arguments relied on speculation and distortions that did not warrant a new trial or release from custody.

judiciarycriminal justicesex trafficking
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Why It Matters

The ruling maintains the current 20-year prison sentence for Ghislaine Maxwell, confirming that her legal challenges to her 2021 conviction have been exhausted at this stage.

Key Facts

  • Judge Paul A. Engelmayer denied Ghislaine Maxwell's habeas petition to set aside her conviction.
  • The court characterized Maxwell's claims of withheld evidence and false testimony as 'demonstrably meritless.'
  • Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.
  • The conviction was originally handed down in December 2021.
  • Maxwell was interviewed by the Justice Department's second-in-command in July 2025.
  • Maxwell was transferred from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas following the July 2025 interview.
  • Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in July 2019 and died in custody in August 2019.

Who's Mentioned

organizationJustice Department“Interviewed Maxwell in July 2025”personJeffrey Epstein“Former associate of Maxwell”personPaul A. Engelmayer“Federal judge who issued the ruling”personGhislaine Maxwell“Defendant seeking to overturn sex trafficking conviction”