Former Teacher Faces Charges for Decades of Crimes Against Minors
In a shocking case that spans continents and decades, a 79-year-old former teacher has been detained in France on charges of sexually assaulting nearly 100 minors and murdering two family members. Jacques Leveugle, born in 1946 in Annecy, was charged in 2024 for aggravated rape and sexual assault committed against 89 minors between 1967 and 2022, and he has remained in custody since.
International Crimes Uncovered Through Digital Evidence
Prosecutor Etienne Manteaux, speaking to reporters in Grenoble, detailed the extensive scope of the alleged crimes. The victims, aged 13 to 17, were targeted in multiple countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, the Philippines, India, Colombia, and the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. Leveugle worked as a freelance teacher and instructor in these locations, allegedly using his position to commit the assaults.
The case came to light through a USB drive discovered by Leveugle's nephew, who was reportedly questioning his uncle's emotional and sexual life. The drive contained writings compiled by Leveugle, referring to 'sexual relations' with minors and organized into 15 volumes. This digital evidence was crucial in establishing the number of victims and the timeline of the crimes.
Confessions to Murder Emerge During Investigation
In addition to the sexual abuse charges, Leveugle's 'memoirs' on the USB drive included confessions to 'intentionally causing the deaths of two people.' During the investigation, he admitted to suffocating his mother, a terminally ill cancer patient, with a pillow in the 1970s. He also confessed to suffocating his 92-year-old aunt with a pillow in the 1990s, allegedly because she begged him not to leave when he had to return to the Cévennes region.
Prosecutor Manteaux emphasized the brutality of these acts, stating that Leveugle made a conscious choice to kill his aunt while she was asleep. The murders add a layer of violence to an already horrific case, highlighting the suspect's alleged capacity for extreme cruelty over many years.
Authorities Launch Public Appeal for More Victims
Manteaux has made a public appeal for witnesses and any other potential victims to come forward, releasing portraits of Leveugle taken in different years and locations. He stated that the suspect's identity must be known to facilitate this process, underscoring the importance of uncovering the full extent of the crimes. Anyone who has witnessed or been a victim of Leveugle is urged to contact the Grenoble Gendarmerie Research Section.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of sexual abuse and the challenges in prosecuting crimes that cross international borders. The French authorities' efforts to publicize the details aim to bring justice to all affected individuals and prevent further harm.
