Two prisoners from Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone prison (Hérault) are suspected of having managed a national prostitution network from their cell. In all, four people were arrested earlier this week by the Pimping and Search for Fugitives Group (GPRF) of the judicial police, reports Midi Libre.
The presumed network leader, 52, is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for procuring. He is suspected of having charged another detainee, aged 30, himself in pretrial detention for alleged acts of serial rape, from recruiting women from his cell on escort-girl websites.
The recruiter promised his victims clients, accommodation and protection. In exchange, they had to donate 50% of their income. All the negotiations were carried out by telephone from the prison. The pimps would have received more than 100,000 euros in profits. About ten victims were identified at this stage of the investigation, according to 20 Minutes.
"He is someone who can be very scary"
“The head of the network assured [the women] that he guaranteed their safety, while telling them that they were under constant surveillance, which was false. He would pressure them if they did not pay enough. He is someone who can be very scary and who wins, ”relates an investigator from the SRPJ of Montpellier to the regional daily.
A third suspect, living in Valence (Drôme), was responsible for renting the apartments on Airbnb or via small hotels, from Hérault, to Bordeaux and the Lyon region. The fourth suspect is the partner of the network manager, 45 years old. She was responsible for collecting the money from the prostitutes.
The four suspects were presented Thursday to an investigating judge of the Montpellier judicial court for their indictment for "aggravated procuring", according to the regional daily.
