A 21-year-old day camp counselor at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield is behind bars after being arrested for posting nude photos online of prepubescent campers.
Matthew Kuppe of West Bloomfield, who is a Michigan State University student, was charged in a seven-page criminal complaint in federal court with posting the photos from a locker room and bathroom during a sleepover, Kimberly Gill of WDIV reports. He was fired after the allegations surfaced. (Read criminal complaint)
The affidavit says that an undercover officer exchanged emails with Kuppe, who posted photos under the username "JCCLOCKERROOM," WDIV reports.
An undercover officer exchanged emails with Kuppe, who responded:
"I only get to touch him a few times. I have more pics, but you need to send me some first. . . . What would you do to these little boys (be graphic)."
He also writes: "He was naked and bouncing on me ... I purposely dropped something, and made him pick it up so I could see his ... "
The affidavit also says of one of the boys that he "jacked him off." It says that he admitted taking the photos after he was arrested.
His Facebook page says that he graduates from MSU in 2016.
On April 22, he posted on Facebook:
I'm so happy to have been offered an internship next fall and spring at the Couple and Family Therapy Clinic at MSU! I can't wait to experience Couple and Family Therapy firsthand, and to be one step closer in achieving my goal of being a CFT therapist.
The Jewish Community Center issued a statement:
"On Wednesday, August 12, the West Bloomfield Police Department notified the JCC that a summer camp counselor was being investigated. Subsequently, we were notified that the individual had been taken into custody for alleged possession of photographs of campers taken while using the locker room and restroom facilities. The staff member was immediately terminated. In accordance with our policies, the individual was subject to a criminal background investigation that came back clear prior to his employment.
The West Bloomfield Police is investigating the matter and we are cooperating fully with the police in their investigation. We are communicating with the parents of our program participants. All requests for information should be directed to the West Bloomfield Police Department."
