Former French Senator Joël Guerriau Guilty of Administering MDMA for Sexual Assault
A Paris court has found former French Senator Joël Guerriau guilty of administering MDMA to Member of Parliament Sandrine Josso with the intent of sexual assault. The verdict, handed down against Guerriau, 68, found him guilty of drug-facilitated sexual assault against Josso, 50, a centrist member of the National Assembly.
The court sentenced Guerriau to a four-year prison term, with 18 months to be served behind bars. He was also ordered to pay €5,000 in damages to Josso for emotional distress and has been permanently banned from holding any elected office. The incident occurred in November 2023 at Guerriau's Paris apartment.
Incident Details
The incident unfolded in November 2023 when Guerriau invited Josso to his apartment in Paris. According to Josso's testimony, she began experiencing severe symptoms, including heart palpitations and uncontrollable shaking, shortly after consuming a drink served by Guerriau from a champagne glass. She recalled Guerriau looking at her "insistently" during this distressing period.
Josso managed to leave the apartment with the assistance of a colleague and immediately sought medical attention at a hospital. Subsequent toxicology reports confirmed a substantial quantity of MDMA in her blood, noted to be three times a recreational dose.
Defendant's Account
Guerriau admitted to serving Josso a drink containing MDMA but maintained that the act was accidental. He steadfastly denied any intention of sexual assault.
He informed the court that he had been suffering from depression and anxiety and had intended to consume the drug himself the night before the incident. Guerriau stated he had placed the substance into a glass for his own use and then mistakenly served the same glass to Josso the following evening.
During the trial, he expressed remorse, stating:
"I am disgusted with myself, with my recklessness and my stupidity."
He further emphasized the dangers associated with such drugs.
Investigation Findings
During the trial, investigators presented evidence that Guerriau had conducted online searches related to drugs and rape approximately a month prior to the incident. Guerriau claimed these searches were part of his work as a senator.
Reactions and Appeal
Following the court's decision, Sandrine Josso described the sentence as:
"a huge relief."
Legal representatives for Guerriau have indicated their intention to appeal the verdict.
Broader Impact and Legislative Developments
This high-profile case has significantly drawn national attention in France to the pervasive issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault. Sandrine Josso has since become a prominent advocate on the matter, co-authoring a parliamentary report addressing the scarcity of statistics and resources available for victims. She is also helping to lead a parliamentary investigation into drug-related crimes.
The case has resonated within the context of other prominent trials, such as the Gisèle Pelicot mass rape trial. These significant cases, and the discussions they ignited, paved the way for France to adopt a new law in October 2025, which explicitly defines rape and other sexual assault as any non-consensual sexual act.