Supreme Court Weighs Ghislaine Maxwell Sex Trafficking Conviction Appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court is privately considering whether to take up Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal of her 2021 child sex trafficking conviction and 20-year sentence related to Jeffrey Epstein's abuse network. Maxwell’s lawyers argue that a 2007 non-prosecution agreement (NPA) Epstein struck with Florida prosecutors, which barred charges against his co-conspirators, should protect her from federal charges in New York. The Justice Department, including under the Trump administration, contends that the NPA's protection was limited to the Florida U.S. Attorney's Office and does not bind other federal prosecutors. Maxwell’s petition highlights a legal split in federal appeals courts over whether such agreements bind all U.S. attorneys nationwide or only the signatory office, framing the case as a matter of broader legal principle beyond her conviction. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, oral arguments could occur during the 2025-26 term, with a ruling to follow. Meanwhile, political interest intensifies as some lawmakers seek the release of remaining Epstein files, and Maxwell has publicly characterized former President Donald Trump as a "gentleman," adding further complexity to the ongoing Epstein-related investigations and controversies.