On August 10th of 2019, without bail on sex trafficking charges, Jeffery Epstein died. Three years later his biggest accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, was found guilty of child sex trafficking and other offenses related to sex offender Epstein. 

Epstein was not just a sex offender, as he was found guilty for his web of trafficking of underage girls. But how did Epstein climb his way to the top?

He was notorious for the people he was connected to including former president Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. Epstein found his way to the public with his firm, J. Epstein and Co., and used the money he earned to socialize with celebrities. 

Aside from his party life, many celebrities came out after his death and commented on his strange privacy outside of socializing. 

In 2005 he was accused of molesting a 14-year-old in his Florida mansion, but when Palm Beach Police searched his home they found evidence that more underage girls had been there. 

Unfortunately, Epstein was able to make a deal with prosecutors in 2008 where he only received an 18-month sentence. This meant he was still able to leave and attend work, and worse, he was relaxed on probation at 13 months.

He was put on as a registered sex offender, yet managed to maintain his public image and sweep the incident under the rug. But, in 2010 a new controversy arose when a picture of Prince Andrew and an underage girl resurfaced. 

Virginia Giuffre accused Epstein of forcing her to spend the night with Prince Andrew at age 17 in 1999.

Epstein was finally arrested on July 6, 2019 after returning to New York from Paris. He was persistent in denying any accusations, but his death gave him a way out of his long awaited trial. 

Maxwell, who had been hiding for as long as possible, was finally arrested in July of 2020 for her assistance in grooming and recruiting minors. 

Coming from a famous family name, she was able to introduce Epstein to powerful people, such as President Trump and Clinton. 

She dated Epstein for a few years, but stayed to help after their breakup. 

In December 2021, a New York City Jury found her guilt on five of six counts, the most serious offense being trafficking a minor. There is a possibility that she will serve a 40-year sentence, leaving the 60-year-old behind bars for life. 

As her lawyers try to recover some of her sentencing, Prince Andrew is also facing sexual allegations with minors. There is a hope that prosecutors will be able to convince the jury he is guilty. There is hope for the innocent victims of these powerful manipulators, and as more evidence is brought to light, more victims can get justice.