Jacques Leveugle, accused of decades-long sexual abuse of minors, dies in custody

Jacques Leveugle, a 79-year-old former educator, died in Grenoble detention after being diagnosed with an incurable disease. He had been suspected of committing rapes and sexual assaults against 89 minors since 1971, with alleged crimes spanning France and about ten other countries on five continents. Investigators described his method as an "intellectual seduction" targeting disadvantaged youths in places such as Algeria, Morocco, Colombia, India and Germany.

The case was reopened after his nephew discovered incriminating memoirs, leading to his indictment and provisional detention in February 2024. A broad witness appeal was launched in February to identify further victims. Of the 24 alleged victims, only two adult men, now aged 43 and 45, are linked to non-prescribed offenses, and prosecutors hope the criminal court in Isère will hear the case by 2027.