Ghislaine Maxwell: Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Roberts hails arrest of ‘insidious creature’ after FBI bust

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JEFFREY Epstein’s alleged sex slave Virginia Giuffre who claims to have had sex with Prince Andrew has celebrated the arrest of the paedophile financier’s suspected accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

She tweeted “orange is the new black” as the FBI announced they had arrested the 58-year-old socialite on suspicion of grooming and abusing girls as young as 14.

Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell were pals for many years
The infamous photo of Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell

Virginia Giuffre claims she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein

Prosecutors have also charged Maxwell – a pal and one-time girlfriend of Epstein – with lying about her involvement in the billionaire’s sex trafficking ring during a deposition in 2016.

Taking to Twitter, Giuffre said: “Orange is the new black- #GhislaineMaxwellArrested

“Thank you to @FBI @SDNYnews and anyone involved in the arrest of this insidious creature. Hope the judge throws the book at her.

“So so so happy- she’s finally where she belongs.”

Giuffre and others have long accused Maxwell of being a key part of Epstein’s sex trafficking ring – with her often being described as a “pimp”.

It is reported she was arrested by the FBI in New Hampshire, US, at around 8.30am on Thursday.

Sources said she was found at a house on a 156-acre estate in the woods near the town of Bradford, having purchased the property in cash last December.

Giuffre is one of Epstein’s highest profile accusers, and alleges she was trafficked to London to have sex with Prince Andrew.

Andrew – who was pals with both Epstein and Maxwell – strongly denies any allegations of wrongdoing, claiming to have never even met Giuffre.

He has been facing pressure from US lawyers to co-operate in the probe into Epstein, and continues to be urged to speak to the FBI about the case.

Ghislaine Maxwell had been described as Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘pimp’

Sources have said Andrew, 60, is “bewildered” by the latest development – which comes after Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial last August.

Prosecutors say Maxwell had £16million in 15 accounts, and was holding three passports. 

She faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted.

She was deemed a flight risk, so was remanded in custody and will face court in New York.

Andrew’s legal team fear she may strike a deal with prosecutors and lift the lid on the scandal surrounding Andrew and Epstein.

New York Attorney Audrey Strauss said it was possible Maxwell could co-operate despite facing charges of lying about “unspeakable” child sex crimes.

Ms Strauss said she’d “like the benefit” of Andrew’s statement — after revealing some of Epstein’s abuse took place in London.

She added: “We’d welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us. Our doors remain open.”

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were close

Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell

Ms Strauss kept tight-lipped over whether the royal would be quizzed as a suspect or witness.

She said the case against Maxwell was a “prequel” to actions Epstein was accused of before his death in a New York jail last August.

Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.

Sources close to the Prince were “bewildered” that the US Department of Justice wanted a chat — given they contacted prosecutors twice last month.

They said the Duke’s legal team had “reached out” to lawyers on “a senior level” with no reply.

Four weeks ago law firm Blackfords and PR firm Riverside Advisory issued a statement claiming they had been in contact with prosecutors since January.

They claimed the Duke has offered his assistance as a witness at least three times this year.

Andrew is said to be worried about being caught in a “fishing expedition” by the US authorities’ investigations into Epstein.

Audrey Strauss speaks during a news conference to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell

The Bradford estate where Ghislaine Maxwell was allegedly hiding out

The Duke of York learned of Maxwell’s arrest at the Royal Lodge in Windsor where he has been locked down with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

Andrew has been her friend for decades, and Maxwell is alleged to have introduced him to Ms Giuffre in 2001.

A now infamous picture was taken in Maxwell’s London home showing Andrew with his arm around Virginia, then 17.

She said they later had sex — which the Prince vehemently denies.

Andrew has suggested experts could have doctored the photo in which Maxwell — daughter of disgraced media tycoon Robert — is seen smiling in the background.

He has been under increasing pressure following a car crash TV interview on the BBC in which he dismissed some of Ms Giuffre’s allegations by claiming he “couldn’t sweat”.

Donald Trump, his future wife Melania, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell pictured together in 2000

William Sweeney, of the FBI’s New York field office, claimed Maxwell targeted “vulnerable youth” and inflicted “lasting harm”.

He paid tribute to the courage of victims who “persevered against the rich and connected and did so without a badge and a subpoena”.

During her court hearing, Maxwell told District Judge Alison J. Nathan she understood she had waived her right to an in- person hearing after consenting to the video conference, which lasted around 20 minutes.

Judge Nathan told Maxwell she would be temporarily detained and “transported to the charging district” — the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

David Boies, who represents Ms Roberts Giuffre, now 36, said: “This is a great day for justice. Jeffrey Epstein did not and could not have acted alone.”

Jennifer Araoz claims Epstein raped her when she was 15 after one of his recruiters lured her to a £65million mansion.

She said: “For years, I feared Epstein and his sex trafficking ring. Maxwell was the centre of that ring. Her arrest is a step in that direction. It truly means the justice system didn’t forget about us.”

On July 8, 2019, Epstein was charged with the sex trafficking of minors in the same court – but died in his New York cell on August 10.

Ghislaine Maxwell is the daughter of disgraced media mogul Robert Maxwell