A 22-year-ancient man, already with 25 prior convictions, was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison for exploiting a 17-year-old girl through online prostitution while incarcerated. Zakaria N. Conducted the exploitation from his cell at Valence prison, according to a ruling by the Marseille correctional court.
The court also convicted three co-defendants – Ahmed B., Karim S., and Amel M. – of aggravated pimping, according to reporting from La Provence. Authorities found that funds sent to N. Via prepaid cards were used to purchase items from the prison store, improving his conditions while incarcerated.
The victim, identified as Margaux, had initially contacted an educator at a Poitiers youth center after being forced into prostitution for four days in Marseille. She reported being compelled to work in “repugnant” locations – parking lots, streets, and rundown hotel rooms – without adequate food, sleep, or hygiene. Margaux was located by police on the Boulevard Sakakini in March 2024 after using her phone to contact the educator, who then alerted authorities. Police were able to pinpoint her location using her smartphone’s geolocation data.
Investigators learned that Margaux had initially traveled to Marseille willingly, but was subsequently coerced into sexual exploitation. The case highlights a growing trend of online exploitation of minors, according to reports.
Zakaria N. Was already facing charges in two other criminal cases at the time of his conviction. His prior record demonstrates a pattern of repeated offenses, raising concerns about the facilitation of criminal activity from within the prison system. The investigation into the case continues, with authorities examining the extent to which N. Was able to operate his exploitation ring from prison.