News Screen – The investigation into the sex trafficking network of the late American businessman, Jeffrey Epstein, in France continues to develop. Paris prosecutors revealed that around 10 new victims had emerged in the ongoing investigation.
Paris’ top prosecutor, Laure Becuau, said the victims had not previously been identified by investigators.
“We received reports from new victims who were completely unknown before. The number was around 10 people,” Becuau told television station RTL, Sunday, May 18 2026.
Also Read: Congressional Drama: Bill Clinton and the Shadow of Epstein
According to him, the prosecutor’s office is currently prioritizing examination of victims suspected of being connected to Epstein’s network. Some of them are known to be outside France so investigators are still arranging examination schedules.
The investigation in France was opened after the United States Department of Justice released the latest documents related to the Epstein case in January. French authorities are now investigating possible human trafficking crimes committed on French territory or involving French citizens.
Apart from listening to the victim’s statement, investigators also searched documents, telephone records and Epstein’s address book to look for possible involvement of other parties. “We have again confiscated Epstein’s computers, telephone records and address books. We will also submit a request for international assistance,” said Becuau.
In previous developments, French authorities searched Epstein’s luxury apartment in Paris in September 2019, not long after he was found dead in a New York holding cell.
Several names previously linked to this case include the former boss of a European modeling agency, Gerald Marie, and a French modeling agent, Jean-Luc Brunel.
In 2020, Brunel was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing minors and allegedly providing victims to Epstein. He was later found dead in prison in 2022.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Gerald Marie regarding allegations of sexual harassment in the 1980s and 1990s was stopped in 2023 because it was deemed that the time limit for prosecution had passed.
Two former models also admitted to AFP that a modeling talent scout named Daniel Siad allegedly persuaded them to meet Epstein and Marie at different periods.
So far, prosecutors say no party has been officially questioned as a suspect in this latest human trafficking investigation.
Epstein’s case itself has attracted world attention since he pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution of minors. He died in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges in the United States.***
