Detroit JCC Counsellor Won’t Face Local Charges for Kiddie Porn
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
A former counselor at a JCC day camp in suburban Detroit who is facing federal child pornography charges will not be charged locally.
Matthew David Kuppe, 21, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, was charged in federal court in August with possessing, producing and distributing child pornography after allegedly filming prepubescent boys in the JCC locker room and sharing the photos online.
But the Oakland Prosecutor’s Office has decided not to charge Kuppe following an investigation into the case, the Detroit Free Press reported, citing West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton. Investigators could not find evidence that Kuppe committed any state level violations, according to the newspaper. Patton said the local investigation would be concluded pending any new information.
Kuppe, who would have been a senior this year at Michigan State University, continues to be held without bond in the federal case. His attorney has filed a motion with U.S. District Court Judge Avern Cohn to release him into the custody of his parents ahead of his trial.
Kuppe worked at the JCC of Metropolitan Detroit’s day camp for two years, at one point supervising its special-needs campers. Under questioning, he allegedly admitted to posting nude photos of boys on a foreign website using the handle “jcclockerroom.” His account contained several emails with child pornography.
If convicted, Kuppe faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
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