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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 25, 2026Miami-Dade

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 her claims of new evidence and a miscarriage of justice were meritless. The court found that the documents Maxwell cited from the Epstein Files Transparency Act were irrelevant to her case or further supported her original conviction.

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Why It Matters

The ruling confirms that Ghislaine Maxwell will continue serving her 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, as the court dismissed her final legal efforts to challenge the conviction.

Key Facts

  • Judge Paul A. Engelmayer denied Ghislaine Maxwell's habeas petition to overturn her sex trafficking conviction.
  • The court ruled that Maxwell's claims of new evidence were 'demonstrably meritless' and 'frivolous'.
  • Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
  • The judge stated that documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act do not exculpate Maxwell and in some cases reinforce her guilt.
  • The court rejected Maxwell's claim of selective prosecution regarding uncharged co-conspirators.
  • The Justice Department has released 18 categories of investigative materials over the last eight months.
  • Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021.
  • Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial.
  • Maxwell was transferred from a Florida prison to a Texas prison camp last year.

Who's Mentioned

personPaul A. Engelmayer“Federal judge who issued the ruling.”personTodd Blanche“U.S. Attorney General who previously interviewed Maxwell.”personJeffrey Epstein“Deceased financier and associate of Maxwell.”personGhislaine Maxwell“Defendant seeking to overturn sex trafficking conviction.”otherEpstein Files Transparency Act“Law requiring the release of investigative materials.”personDonald Trump“President of the United States.”