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Case 22-1426, Document 79, 06/29/2023, 3536060, Page18 of 93 This culture of silence provided cover for Maxwell and Epstein to sexually abuse young girls. In the early phase of the conspiracy, between 1994 and 2001, Max- well and Epstein identified vulnerable girls, typically from single-mother households and difficult financial circumstances. (Tr.295, 1178, 2051-52). Maxwell and Epstein then isolated the girls, spending time with them away from their family and friends. (Tr.296-99, 1175-82, 2069-70, 2077-79). During that time, they groomed the girls through techniques such as giving them gifts, pretending to be friends, and building trust. (Tr.298-3038, 348, 2079-81). Maxwell and Ep- stein then normalized sexual situations and sexual touching. (Tr.300-01, 2081-84). Finally, they transi- tioned to sexual abuse, often through the pretext of giving Epstein a massage. (Tr.306-15, 319-28, 1183-88, 2084-88).2 In the later phase of the scheme, from 2001 through 2004, Maxwell and Epstein developed a stream of girls who recruited each other to visit Epstein at his Palm Beach residence. (Tr.1518-25, 1543-46). Maxwell and Epstein paid young girls hundreds of dollars in cash in 2 These techniques were the textbook methods of child predators. At trial, Dr. Lisa Rocchio, an expert in psychology with a specialized expertise in traumatic stress and interpersonal violence, explained that chil- dren are most frequently sexually abused through grooming and coercion in the context of a relationship. (Tr.713). Dr. Rocchio explained that abusers use a se- ries of deceptive tactics to engage a child in sexual abuse. (Tr.715-20). DOJ-OGR-00021665