Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s Associate and Confidante, Has Been Arrested by the FBI

Ghislaine Maxwell, the woman often referred to as Jeffrey Epstein’s close confidante and associate, has been arrested by the FBI, according to the Associated Press and other news outlets. 

The AP reports Maxwell was taken into custody around 8:30 a.m. on July 2 in New Hampshire, per FBI spokesman Marty Feely. The details of the charges have yet to be released, but CNN reports she is expected to appear in court later today. The U.S. attorney general for the Southern District of New York announced a press conference where the charges will be explained. 

“There will be a press conference today at noon to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell for her role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein,” the office’s official Twitter account posted. 

Over the years, a number of Epstein’s victims have accused Maxwell of recruiting them to give massages to the late financier, during which time they were later sexually assaulted by him. In 2019, Epstein was indicted on charges of allegedly paying girls as young as 14 to have sex with him and was in jail awaiting trial when he died by an apparent suicide. (He faced similar charges in Florida but signed a plea deal in 2008 that allowed him to avoid federal charges.)

Since his death, public pressure has mounted for authorities to speak to Maxwell—the daughter of British media mogul Robert Maxwell—about her involvement with Epstein and his alleged crimes. 

A number of Epstein’s survivors have directly named Maxwell as the person who lured them into his web, eventually leading to abuse. Virginia Giuffre, who spoke to Glamour in December 2019 along with four other survivors—is one of those women. In a sworn deposition in 2016, she says that when she was just 16, she was introduced to Epstein by Maxwell, who said she wanted to hire her as a masseuse. “My whole life revolved around just pleasing these men and keeping Ghislaine [Maxwell] and Jeffrey [Epstein] happy. Their whole entire lives revolved around sex,” Giuffre said in the deposition. (Maxwell has denied the allegations.)

Maxwell’s arrest brings survivors one step closer to justice. 

This story is developing and will be updated as new details emerge.

Originally Appeared on Glamour