French authorities have taken the extraordinary step of publicly identifying a 79-year-old man accused of committing horrific sexual crimes against children spanning more than half a century. Jacques Leveugle, whose identity was revealed by Grenoble prosecutor Étienne Manteaux, faces formal investigation for the aggravated rape and sexual assault of 89 minors.
Chilling Case Spanning Decades and Continents
The case represents one of the most extensive child sexual abuse investigations in French history, with alleged offenses occurring between 1967 and 2022. According to prosecutors, the victims were all boys aged between 13 and 17 at the time of the alleged assaults. The investigation has revealed a pattern of abuse that crossed international borders, with references to multiple countries where the crimes allegedly took place.
Digital "Memoir" Provides Crucial Evidence
Investigators say the case hinges on a disturbing digital "memoir" discovered on a USB drive by a relative of the suspect. This collection of writings, described as comprising 15 volumes, was subsequently turned over to authorities and has enabled investigators to identify the 89 alleged victims. The detailed nature of these documents provided crucial evidence but also presented significant challenges for investigators attempting to locate victims decades after the alleged crimes occurred.
Prosecutor Manteaux explained the unusual decision to publicly name the suspect, stating that people under investigation in France are not normally identified in this manner. "This name must be known because the goal is to allow possible victims to come forward," he emphasized during a news conference. The prosecutor acknowledged that investigators initially hoped to identify all victims internally but encountered substantial obstacles due to incomplete identity information in the documents.
International Scope of Alleged Crimes
The geographical reach of the alleged offenses is particularly disturbing. Investigators have identified references to multiple countries including Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Niger, the Philippines, India, and Colombia. Additionally, authorities noted connections to New Caledonia, where the suspect reportedly worked as an educator. This international dimension has complicated the investigation and highlighted the challenges of pursuing justice for crimes committed across different jurisdictions over many decades.
Parallel Investigation into Family Deaths
In a shocking development, prosecutors revealed that the suspect has acknowledged two separate killings within his family, prompting a parallel investigation. According to Manteaux, the suspect allegedly smothered his mother, who was in the terminal phase of cancer. He later admitted to killing his 92-year-old aunt under similar circumstances. Regarding his aunt's death, the suspect reportedly told investigators that "because he had to return to the Cévennes and she begged him not to leave, he also chose to put her to death."
Urgent Appeal for Victims to Come Forward
French authorities have established a dedicated hotline and are making a direct appeal to potential victims to contact them. Manteaux emphasized the urgency of the situation during a subsequent radio interview, citing both the suspect's advanced age and the difficulty of tracing victims across 55 years. "There is urgency," he stated bluntly, highlighting the practical challenges of investigating crimes that span multiple generations.
The case emerges as France continues to grapple with the aftermath of other high-profile sexual violence trials, including the recent Dominique Pelicot case that shocked the nation. In that trial, a husband was convicted of drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of men to rape her over an extended period. The Leveugle investigation represents another deeply disturbing chapter in France's ongoing confrontation with systemic sexual violence.
Jacques Leveugle has been held in pretrial detention since April 2025 after being placed under formal investigation in February 2024. The decision to publicize his identity represents a significant departure from standard French legal practice and underscores the gravity of the allegations and the determination of authorities to identify all potential victims of these alleged crimes that spanned more than five decades.
