Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been transferred from Florida to Texas, according to federal prison records.
Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence following her conviction on sex trafficking charges, had been held at FCI Tallahassee, a low-security federal correctional institution in Florida. She is now at Federal Prison Camp Bryan, a low-security facility in Bryan, Texas.
It remains unclear why Maxwell was moved. While not commenting on her specific case, the Federal Bureau of Prisons outlined general reasons for inmate transfers.
"Some of the factors include the level of security and supervision the inmate requires, any medical or programming needs, separation, and security measures to ensure the individual's protection, and other considerations, including proximity to an individual's release residence," a spokesperson said. "The same criteria apply when making decisions for both initial designations and re-designations for transfer to a new facility."
Scripps News has learned that, according to the Bureau of Prisons' regulations, Maxwell would not have been authorized to be transferred to the minimum-security "camp" facility in Texas without it being signed off by a top official.
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Maxwell’s case has drawn renewed attention after the Department of Justice and FBI released a joint memo stating that a review of the Epstein case found no “incriminating client list.” The memo angered many of President Donald Trump’s most loyal supporters, who have called for greater transparency.
Amid the backlash, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Maxwell in Florida. Her attorney said Maxwell answered questions truthfully during the meeting.
It’s unclear whether the prison transfer was related to that meeting. Maxwell has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn her conviction, and her attorney has said she would be open to receiving a pardon from Trump. The president has said he has not considered it.
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Family members of Virginia Giuffre and other survivors released the following statement regarding the transfer of Maxwell:
"It is with horror and outrage that we object to the preferential treatment convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has received. Ghislaine Maxwell is a sexual predator who physically assaulted minor children on multiple occasions, and she should never be shown any leniency. Yet, without any notification to the Maxwell victims, the government overnight has moved Maxwell to a minimum security luxury prison in Texas. This is the justice system failing victims right before our eyes. The American public should be enraged by the preferential treatment being given to a pedophile and a criminally charged child sex offender. The Trump administration should not credit a word Maxwell says, as the government itself sought charges against Maxwell for being a serial liar. This move smacks of a cover up. The victims deserve better."
FPC Bryan is known for housing other notable inmates like Elizabeth Holmes, who was found guilty of conspiracy and fraud against investors, and former "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah, who was found guilty of a telemarketing fraud scheme.
