A Paris court late on Tuesday found a former French senator guilty of spiking a lawmaker’s drink with ecstasy in an attempt to sexually assault her. The court dismissed the defense’s claim that Joel Guerriau, 68, may have unknowingly given lawmaker Sandrine Josso a substance to impair her judgment for the purpose of rape or sexual aggression. Guerriau, who resigned as a senator in October 2025 due to the case, was also convicted of possessing and using ecstasy.
The case, which has stirred attention in France, follows the 2024 conviction of Dominique Pelicot for drugging and raping his wife, Gisèle, and involving strangers in the assaults. The Pelicot trial garnered global headlines and heightened awareness of drug-facilitated assaults.
Given the seriousness of the crimes and the significant dose of ecstasy administered to Sandrine Josso without her consent, the court sentenced Guerriau to four years in prison, with two-and-a-half years suspended, and issued a deferred detention order, allowing him to remain free as he appeals the verdict. Guerriau’s lawyer stated his intention to appeal, disputing his client’s alleged intent to assault Josso.
Josso reported feeling unwell after consuming a few sips of champagne offered by Guerriau at his apartment to celebrate an election victory. She noted that the drink tasted strange and believed Guerriau would have assaulted her if she had not managed to leave the premises.
The court determined Guerriau’s intention to commit rape or sexual assault based on various factors, including his insistence on Josso consuming the spiked drink, his inappropriate behavior, and online searches related to drugs and their effects in the context of sexual assault.
