French Serial Abuse Suspect Sought in Multiple Countries, Prosecutor Reveals
GRENOBLE, France – French authorities have launched a widespread appeal for information regarding Jacques Leveugle, 79, accused of decades of sexual abuse against 89 minors across nine countries, as well as the deaths of his mother and aunt. The case, described by prosecutors as “a textbook example of serial offending,” has sent shockwaves through France and prompted international concern.
The Grenoble prosecutor’s office made the suspect’s identity public Tuesday, a rare move intended to encourage potential victims to come forward. Leveugle was initially placed under investigation in February 2024, then held in strict judicial control before being returned to provisional detention in April 2025 for violating the terms of his release.
“This name must be known because the objective is to allow any potential victims to come forward,” Prosecutor Etienne Manteaux told reporters. A dedicated hotline – 0-800-20-01-42 – has been established for individuals with information.
The alleged abuses span a period of 55 years, from 1967 to 2022, and occurred in Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, the Philippines, India, Colombia, and New Caledonia. Leveugle, who worked as an educator and teacher in these locations, is accused of exploiting his position of trust to sexually abuse vulnerable adolescents aged 13 to 17.
According to Manteaux, the extent of the alleged crimes was revealed through 15 volumes of written confessions compiled by Leveugle himself on a USB drive discovered by his nephew. The nephew, concerned about his uncle’s past, initiated the discovery. Investigators are now meticulously reviewing the contents of the drive to verify the claims and identify all potential victims.
“He traveled to these different countries and in each of these places where he would settle to provide academic support or teach, he would meet young people and have sexual relations with them,” Manteaux explained. He described Leveugle as “cultivated and charismatic,” employing a tactic of “intellectual seduction” followed by a more overt approach. The suspect reportedly viewed himself as a figure from ancient Greece, mentoring young men.
Notably, prosecutors emphasize that the alleged abuses did not involve physical violence, but rather “moral coercion.” Colonel Serge Procédès, head of the Grenoble research section, characterized the case as a “textbook example of serial offending.”
The investigation has also uncovered confessions to the deaths of Leveugle’s mother, who suffered from terminal cancer, and his 92-year-old aunt. He allegedly suffocated both women with pillows, justifying the actions by claiming they had expressed a desire for assisted death. Separate investigations are underway regarding these deaths.
The decision to publicize the case now, after the initial investigation began, was driven by the need to reach victims who may not have been identified through traditional investigative methods. “We initially thought we could identify all the victims internally,” Manteaux said, “but we realized we were facing a wall, with only names and first names appearing, some dating back 40 years.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward quickly, citing potential statute of limitations issues. French law generally allows prosecution for sexual offenses committed against minors for up to 20 years after they reach the age of majority, with a 30-year limit in certain cases. This means that crimes committed before 1993 may be beyond the reach of prosecution.
The case highlights the challenges of investigating historical sexual abuse and the importance of providing support to victims who may have remained silent for decades. The French government has allocated significant resources to address historical sexual abuse cases in recent years, reflecting a growing awareness of the long-term impact of such trauma. According to a 2022 report by the National Council for the Prevention of Torture, France sees approximately 200,000 reports of sexual violence annually, with a significant percentage involving minors.
This story contains disturbing details. Resources are available for survivors of sexual assault. See https://www.rainn.org for support and assistance.
[Image of Jacques Leveugle’s wanted poster, as provided by the Gendarmerie Nationale/AFP]
(Source: Le Monde)
