Story perspectives

French Man Charged with Assaulting 89 Minors Worldwide

2/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Jacques Leveugle, 79, is charged by French prosecutors with aggravated rape and sexual assault of 89 minors from 1967 to 2022 across Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, the Philippines, India, Colombia, and New Caledonia.
Prosecutor Étienne Manteaux urged witnesses and victims to come forward.
Investigators found a USB drive containing Leveugle's writings detailing the assaults.
He confessed to murdering his terminally ill mother and elderly aunt, triggering a separate investigation into those deaths.

History

Historical Context

The #MeToo movement, founded by Tarana Burke in 2006, gained global prominence after the Harvey Weinstein allegations in 2017, leading to widespread discussions about sexual abuse. By 2018, organizations like Time's Up emerged, advocating for justice and accountability. Recent charges against Jacques Leveugle highlight the movement's ongoing relevance, as they involve multiple victims across countries, underscoring the pervasive nature of sexual violence worldwide.

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Story summary

Jacques Leveugle, 79, is charged by French prosecutors with aggravated rape and sexual assault of 89 minors from 1967 to 2022 across Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, the Philippines, India, Colombia, and New Caledonia.
Prosecutor Étienne Manteaux urged witnesses and victims to come forward.
Investigators found a USB drive containing Leveugle's writings detailing the assaults.
He confessed to murdering his terminally ill mother and elderly aunt, triggering a separate investigation into those deaths.

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