Overview

• He was arrested in Strasbourg on Monday and formally indicted on Friday on charges including aggravated human trafficking, rape and sexual assault of minors, and digital offenses.
• A U.S. anti-pedophilia foundation first detected the abusive videos online and alerted French police and the Office Mineurs, triggering the cross-border inquiry.
• Prosecutors allege the 58-year-old paid for and directed remote sexual assaults filmed in Kenya, livestreaming the abuse for personal consumption.
• The case underscores mounting challenges in prosecuting technology-enabled child exploitation and the importance of cooperation between Ofmin, NCMEC and other agencies.
• French authorities are examining digital evidence to identify accomplices and dismantle the broader network behind the livestreamed crimes.