JEFF & MATT BARKER

Associate Brokers

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continued from page 14

Parents claim the incident has
destroyed their children’s innocence
and they continue to worry about the
future risks the photos might pose.

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Additionally, the families have
been affected by negative com-
ments on social media blaming
them for cooperating with the
investigation and allowing their
children to be interviewed by law
enforcement officials.
“One of the most difficult aspects
of this experience is the shame
and secrecy attached to it,” wrote
one family in their victim impact
statement. “If our child was injured
by a drunk driver or harmed in
another non-sexual way, we could
be vocal about it. Why is there so
much shame attached to children
who have been sexually exploited
or abused? What does this attitude
say about how we value children
and their safety in our community?
Do you really think that cover-
ing up and ignoring this incident
would benefit our children?”
Parents were also upset the JCC
administration did not take action
when concerns were raised during
the summer of 2014 about “inap-
propriate conduct” by Kuppe.
Three members of the JCC day
camp supervisory staff, including
the camp director, were subsequent-
ly terminated after Kuppe’s arrest.
According to Seikaly, a civil lawsuit
for damages has not been filed.
Since Kuppe’s arrest, the JCC,
in cooperation with the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit,
has put additional safeguards in
place that include communitywide
staff education and a specific train-
ing series conducted by experts in
the field.
“It was a very intense, emotional
training,” said Brian Siegel, JCC
CEO, who added that information
about recognizing and preventing
sexual abuse is also part of the reg-
ular staff orientation process. “The
sensitivity is definitely heightened.”

EXPRESSING REMORSE

248.425.6000

jeff@jeffbarkerhomes.com
www.jeffbarkerhomes.com

275 S. Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009

2151340

16

April 20 • 2017

jn

In his sentencing memorandum,
Piszczatowski claims his client,
whom he described as “a person-
able, outgoing, intelligent young
man … who made some regret-
table and life-altering decisions,”

deserves a shorter sentence
because of several factors, includ-
ing his lack of prior criminal
record.
He explains that Kuppe has been
undergoing intensive group and
individual psychotherapy sessions
and has made significant prog-
ress. Kuppe’s doctors have also
determined he has a severe form
of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,
which had previously been undiag-
nosed.
Piszczatowski also cited other
cases in the U.S. Eastern District
where convicted child pornogra-
phers received lesser sentences for
more serious offenses.
At the sentencing hearing, Cohn
gave Kuppe a grace period of 60
days to get his affairs in order
before beginning his prison sen-
tence. The judge also removed
the previous bond conditions that
required Kuppe to wear an elec-
tronic tether and remain confined
to his home.
Since Cohn released him on bond
last fall, an action decried by the
prosecutors and the victims’ par-
ents, Kuppe has been living with
his parents, Richard and Linda
Kuppe of West Bloomfield.
Kuppe presented a letter of apol-
ogy to the victims and his own fam-
ily, which included the following:
“… I am sincerely sorry for any
harm that may have been caused
to the families of the three children
as a result of my distributing child
pornography. I know that this has
had a profound effect on their lives;
and I want said families to under-
stand that I know just how wrong
my actions were… I did a bad thing,
but that does not mean that I am
a bad person… While my actions
are without justification, if I was
allowed the opportunity to take it
all back, I would …”
The plea agreement stipulates
a prison sentence of 10 years
followed by seven years of post-
release supervision. Kuppe will also
have to register as a sex offender,
according to state and federal
guidelines. •