A 79-year-old former educator from France has been charged with aggravated rape and sexual assault involving at least 89 minors over a period exceeding fifty years. Authorities in France have indicated that the abuse allegedly occurred in multiple nations, including India. The suspect, Jacques Leveugle, was publicly named by officials in Grenoble as part of an effort to encourage potential victims to come forward, a rare move given that suspects are typically not named during ongoing investigations.
Discovery of Digital Evidence
Leveugle was placed under formal investigation in February 2024, but details of the alleged crimes emerged following a detailed examination of extensive digital materials found by a relative. This inquiry revealed a continuous pattern of abuse from 1967 to 2022. Leveugle worked as a freelance teacher and speleology instructor, and is alleged to have exploited these positions to target boys aged between 13 and 17. Reports indicate that the digital memoir detailed numerous sexual encounters with minors.
International Scope of Allegations
According to investigators, the offenses are reported to have taken place in nine different countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Niger, India, the Philippines, and Colombia. In response, authorities have established a dedicated hotline and released photographs of Leveugle from various stages of his life to aid in the identification of potential victims. Initial attempts to identify all victims without public outreach proved challenging due to incomplete names and identifying information in the documents.
Background of the Case
The case gained attention in 2022 when Leveugle’s nephew discovered several USB drives containing a comprehensive digital memoir documenting years of sexual activities involving minors. Many individuals mentioned in these writings were referred to only by first names or nicknames, complicating the investigative process. As of now, approximately 150 individuals have been interviewed, though only two have come forward as civil plaintiffs.
Additional Criminal Allegations
In a separate investigation, Leveugle has reportedly confessed to two family homicides. He stands accused of suffocating his mother in the 1970s while she was terminally ill and of killing an aunt in the 1990s. During his interrogation, he described his actions toward his aunt, claiming they were motivated by a desire to provide mercy as she begged him not to leave. This aspect of the case led authorities to open a new murder investigation to validate these statements.
Current Legal Status of the Suspect
Leveugle has been in pretrial detention since April 2025, as investigators have described the situation as a “race against time” due to his age and the approaching statute of limitations. French judicial authorities have stated that the investigation must be completed by 2026. A hotline remains available to assist potential victims wishing to report incidents associated with the case.
Leveugle’s International Background
The suspect spent several years in Morocco, working as a tutor for low-income families from 1974 to 2024, where he is allegedly responsible for the abuse of at least ten victims. His residences in Algeria also date back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, during which he is suspected of abusing at least two children. The legal process continues to unfold as authorities work to address this extensive case of alleged abuse.
