Yann de Carné de Trecesson de Coetlogon went on trial on Thursday, November 12, before the Gard criminal court on charges of drugging and assaulting vulnerable young women.
The 66-year-old faces up to 20 years of criminal reclusion if convicted of administering sedatives to victims he met through cosplay and manga conventions.
Gendarmes arrested the suspect on July 9, 2023, after responding to a distress call from a 21-year-old woman, midilibre.fr reported.
Officers found the victim half-undressed and nearly unconscious on a couch inside an isolated bungalow in Vénéjean, near Bagnols-sur-Cèze. Investigators subsequently recovered digital files from his devices showing multiple victims targeted through chemical submission.
Defendant targeted vulnerable women within cosplay communities
The defendant cultivated a public persona within French cosplay communities, frequently appearing dressed as fictional characters such as the Joker or Johnny Depp. Behind that theatrical exterior, he tracked young women facing psychological vulnerabilities and complex personal histories.
“All the victims are young, fragile, vulnerable women with complicated histories and psychological disorders,” said Maître Ludivine Gloriès, a civil party lawyer representing two of the victims, told midilibre.fr.
“He targeted his prey very well.”
Internet searches extracted from his devices revealed extensive inquiries regarding pharmaceutical sedatives. Digital forensic evidence showed he searched for the phrase “drugged sleeping” 790 times over three years, alongside queries for ketamine and GHB.
Chemical Submission Tactics
Investigators established that the accused dissolved Zolpidem, a common prescription sleep medication, into beverages or food given to his victims. The investigation expanded from the initial July 2023 arrest to encompass five rape charges and one sexual assault allegation involving six victims.
“These acts of chemical submission are worrying and increasingly frequent,” said Maître Laurence Bourgeon, another civil party lawyer, told midilibre.fr.
“The debates are going to be important to understand the author’s motivation.”
Legal representation for the defendant emphasized his cooperation with authorities and ongoing personal efforts.
“He assumes, he regrets and he apologizes, he follows treatment, and his speech has not varied since his initial hearings,” said Maître Isabelle Viremouneix, defense counsel for the accused, told midilibre.fr.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the investigation begin?
The formal investigation started on July 9, 2023, following a late-night emergency call from a 21-year-old woman who had traveled from Toulouse to meet the suspect.
What specific substances were recovered during the investigation?
Forensic examinations of the suspect’s digital devices uncovered frequent searches for Zolpidem, ketamine, and GHB, alongside hundreds of searches for chemical sleep aids.
What is the maximum penalty the defendant faces?
The Gard criminal court proceedings carry a maximum sentence of 20 years of criminal reclusion.
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