Camp counselor pleads not guilty to child porn charges

(WJBK) - A former Jewish Community Center camp counselor was back in court Thursday to be arraigned on child pornography charges. On the same day, FOX 2 learned three coworkers are in trouble as well.

Matthew Kuppe, 21, was arraigned on six charges of receiving, distributing, and producing child pornography. Cameras were not allowed inside, but his parents were there with him, holding hands and mouthing words of support.

Kuppe pleaded not guilty to the charges. He's accused of taking nude pictures of several 5-year-old boys in the locker room of the camp. He's accused of identifying at least one of them by name on a public Russian website used for exchanging child pornography.

This past week, JCC fired three other employees after conducting their own internal investigation, identifying at least one instance last summer when another camp counselor tried to report Kuppe. The supervisors in question never passed along the complaint to upper management, as they were required to do.

In a statement informing FOX 2 of the terminations, JCC Spokesman Michael Layne says, "We are heartsick that this matter has occurred. Consistent with our long history of delivering positive experiences in our camp and early development programs, the safety of children in our care will continue to be our highest priority. We pledge to continue all efforts to be transparent and proactive in communicating with our camper families and the community. "

West Bloomfield police are still conducting interviews with the children Kuppe came in contact with to determine if there will be any other charges brought against him.