A former French teacher, identified as Jacques Leaugle, has been accused of sexually abusing 89 children across nine different countries over a span of nearly five decades. According to international media reports, Leaugle has been in custody since being formally charged in 2024, and investigations into the case are ongoing.
French prosecutor Étienne Manteaux recently disclosed significant and disturbing details during a press conference. He stated that revealing the suspect’s identity was intended to encourage potential victims to come forward, as authorities had initially withheld his name until more facts were confirmed.
According to the prosecutor, Jacques Leaugle is accused of committing sexual offenses against minors aged between 13 and 17 from 1967 to 2022. The alleged crimes reportedly took place in Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, the Philippines, India, Colombia, and the French overseas territory of New Caledonia.
Investigators allege that the suspect traveled extensively, presenting himself as a teacher, building trust with young individuals, and then committing sexual offenses. Authorities also learned during the investigation that he had acquired several foreign languages, which allegedly helped him establish connections in different countries.
Prosecutor Manteaux further revealed that the suspect’s nephew provided investigators with a USB device containing written accounts allegedly detailing his involvement with minors. However, the documents did not include complete identification details of the victims, making it difficult to trace all affected individuals.
The prosecutor has urged witnesses and victims, including those in India and other countries, to come forward and testify in what he described as a case involving multiple alleged sexual crimes.
Additionally, during questioning, the suspect reportedly confessed to killing his mother, who was suffering from cancer, by suffocation, and also admitted to killing his 92-year-old aunt in a similar manner. These admissions have added further gravity to the case, and investigations are continuing from multiple angles.
