Former Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel’s arrest in Paris brings “tears of joy” for alleged victims

Author: ELAINE COBBE / CBS NEWS
Published: Updated:
epstein
Former model Thysia Huisman, who’s among women accusing Jean-Luc Brunel, a former modeling agent associated with disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein of rape, poses for a picture in Amsterdam, Netherlands, December 17, 2020.

A French former model agent accused of procuring underage girls for the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was detained by French police Wednesday at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport as he attempted to leave the country. Prosecution sources confirm to CBS News that Jean-Luc Brunel is now being questioned by Paris police and could face a range of sex charges.

Brunel faces possible charges of rape and sexual assault, including of minors, some under the age of 15; sexual harassment and sex trafficking of minors.

French police had been seeking him since an investigation was opened in August last year. A call for witnesses in September 2019 saw several former models come forward with details of alleged attacks spanning three decades.

A French former model agent accused of procuring underage girls for the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was detained by French police Wednesday at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport as he attempted to leave the country. Prosecution sources confirm to CBS News that Jean-Luc Brunel is now being questioned by Paris police and could face a range of sex charges.

Brunel faces possible charges of rape and sexual assault, including of minors, some under the age of 15; sexual harassment and sex trafficking of minors.

French police had been seeking him since an investigation was opened in August last year. A call for witnesses in September 2019 saw several former models come forward with details of alleged attacks spanning three decades.

Brunel and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and daughter of the late media mogul Robert Maxwell, are alleged to have helped the financier find underage girls. Both have denied the allegations. Maxwell is currently in jail in New York awaiting trial.

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