The founder of a notorious website that became pivotal in a shocking rape case in France has been indicted on multiple charges, including facilitating sexual abuse. Isaac Steidl, who created coco.fr, is under judicial supervision as investigations unfold, putting the spotlight on the dark web of exploitation surrounding his platform.
Founder of Infamous Website Indicted in High-Profile French Rape Case
Founder of Infamous Website Indicted in High-Profile French Rape Case
French authorities take action against website linked to over 23,000 sexual abuse cases, including a shocking rape trial.
As reported in January 2025, Isaac Steidl, the 44-year-old founder of the controversial website coco.fr, was indicted by French authorities on an array of serious charges including facilitating sexual exploitation and drug trafficking. This announcement comes on the heels of a highly publicized rape trial involving Dominique Pelicot, who drugged his wife Gisèle and invited others to sexually assault her.
Following his indictment, Steidl has been released under judicial supervision, which requires him to pay a €100,000 bail and prohibits him from leaving France. If convicted, he could face a decade in prison and hefty fines up to €7.5 million.
Coco.fr was implicated in the Pelicot case and over 23,000 other incidents from 2021 to 2024, creating a disturbing nexus of abuse and exploitation that has horrified the nation. Users paid a small fee for access to private chat rooms where discussions around illicit activities flourished in secrecy.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau highlighted that the website was linked to serious crimes, which spanned a spectrum of offenses including child pornography, aggravated pimping, and homicide. The site was shut down in June after an extensive European investigation uncovered that it had been a platform facilitating numerous criminal activities.
As the investigation deepens, the case has drawn critical attention to the need for accountability against platforms that enable such heinous crimes. Steidl's legal team maintains that he will fully cooperate with authorities to prove his innocence. The implications of this trial extend beyond individual guilt, raising questions about online safety and the responsibilities of website operators in preventing abuse.
Following his indictment, Steidl has been released under judicial supervision, which requires him to pay a €100,000 bail and prohibits him from leaving France. If convicted, he could face a decade in prison and hefty fines up to €7.5 million.
Coco.fr was implicated in the Pelicot case and over 23,000 other incidents from 2021 to 2024, creating a disturbing nexus of abuse and exploitation that has horrified the nation. Users paid a small fee for access to private chat rooms where discussions around illicit activities flourished in secrecy.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau highlighted that the website was linked to serious crimes, which spanned a spectrum of offenses including child pornography, aggravated pimping, and homicide. The site was shut down in June after an extensive European investigation uncovered that it had been a platform facilitating numerous criminal activities.
As the investigation deepens, the case has drawn critical attention to the need for accountability against platforms that enable such heinous crimes. Steidl's legal team maintains that he will fully cooperate with authorities to prove his innocence. The implications of this trial extend beyond individual guilt, raising questions about online safety and the responsibilities of website operators in preventing abuse.
