Leveugle was formally charged in 2024 with aggravated rape and sexual assault dating from 1967 to 2022, spanning at least nine countries where he worked in roles that gave him access to children. The alleged victims, primarily boys aged 13 to 17, were identified through extensive material discovered during the investigation.
What Happened and Where
Grenoble prosecutor Étienne Manteaux told reporters that the abuse allegedly occurred in Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, the Philippines, India, Colombia and the French territory of New Caledonia. The suspect, born in 1946 in Annecy, had worked as a French teacher, freelance tutor and speleology (cave-exploration) instructor, positions that allowed him to interact with young people in different communities.
Investigators uncovered a USB drive containing detailed writings — described as a “15-volume memoir” — in which Leveugle referenced sexual relations with minors. The drive was handed over to authorities by his nephew, who had become suspicious of his uncle’s behaviour. Based on these records, investigators have so far identified 89 alleged victims, though many are only referenced by first names or nicknames. Authorities say the probe is a race against time, given the suspect’s age and the statute of limitations on older offences.
Why the Name Was Made Public
In a rare step under French law, prosecutors released Leveugle’s name and photos spanning several decades so that unidentified victims might recognise him and testify. Manteaux said this public appeal aimed to help locate those whose identities remain incomplete in the records and to expand the investigation beyond the known cases.
Authorities also established a hotline and set up contact channels for anyone with information or who believes they may have been targeted.
Additional Confessions and Parallel Investigations
In the course of questioning, Leveugle also confessed to killing his terminally ill mother with a pillow in the 1970s and later suffocating his 92-year-old aunt in the 1990s — admissions that have triggered separate murder investigations. Prosecutors noted that he described these actions as “mercy killings,” reflecting his own troubling justifications.
Context and Wider Implications
The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile abuse scandals in France, such as the conviction of retired surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec, who was jailed for sexually assaulting hundreds of patients over 25 years. Critics and child rights advocates say such cases expose systemic weaknesses in safeguards and monitoring that allowed offenders to evade detection for decades.
As the investigation continues, authorities stress urgency in identifying further victims before the case’s formal closure deadline in 2026.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
