The FBI arrested Ghislain Maxwell back in July and since then her name has been all over the headlines for her alleged connection to Jeffery Epstein and his sex trafficking ring. But if you have been following the story closely you may have noticed that one important key element is missing. Maxwell’s mugshot.
Whenever someone is arrested, especially someone as high up on the social elite food chain as Ghislain Maxwell, their mugshot is literally everywhere in newspapers, online, and on social media. But in every article about Maxwell’s upcoming trial, there have only been images taken of her smiling and posing with her former lover.
The absence of a mugshot has gotten conspiracies swirling. Some theorists think that Maxwell fled the country before the FBI was able to make an arrest and now the government is just trying to cover it up.
But there is a simple explanation as to why the photo was never released. According to a statement from Newsweek, the guidelines for releasing federal mugshots differ from those of a local or state mugshot and the only reason they would release federal mugshots is for safety concerns.
A Department of Justice spokesperson says that Maxwell’s arrest photo is in her indictment folder however it will not be released to the public because it could negatively influence a jury and compromise her right to a fair trial.
This explanation actually makes sense since Maxwell’s lawyers have consistently fought for her right for a fair trial starting with the thousands of pages of documents from a deposition that could greatly impact her trial. Her attornies are also trying to get Maxwell moved out of solitary confinement which impacts her right to counsel and privacy.
Maxwell’s trial is set for July 2021 with jury selection most likely happening in the spring. If the jury is kept sequestered we may see the mugshot.
As for now, the only proof we have that Ghislaine Maxwell is behind bars is court sketches, and an audio of her pleading not guilty.
