GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. — A Grosse Pointe Park attorney is facing charges for allegedly possessing and distributing child sexually abusive material.
Watch our report below
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged 41-year-old Nelson Otto Ropke with the following 26 counts:
- Count One: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated (Maximum Penalty of 25 Years)
- Count Two: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated (Maximum Penalty of 25 Years)
- Count Three: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated Distribution (Maximum Penalty of 15 Years)
- Count Four: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated Distribution (Maximum Penalty of 15 Years)
- Count Five: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated Distribution (Maximum Penalty of 15 Years)
- Count Six: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated Distribution (Maximum Penalty of 15 Years)
- Count Seven: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated Possession (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Eight: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated Possession (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Nine: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated Possession (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Ten: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - Aggravated Possession (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Eleven: Capturing/Distributing Image of Unclothed Person (Maximum Penalty of 5 Years)
- Count Twelve: Capturing/Distributing Image of Unclothed Person (Maximum Penalty of 5 Years)
- Count Thirteen: Possession of Child Sexually Abusive Matter (Maximum Penalty of 4 Years)
- Count Fourteen: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 20 Years)
- Count Fifteen: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 20 Years)
- Count Sixteen: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Seventeen: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Eighteen: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Nineteen: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Twenty: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Twenty-One: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Twenty-Two: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Twenty-Three: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 10 Years)
- Count Twenty-Four: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 4 Years)
- Count Twenty-Five: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 4 Years)
- Count Twenty-Six: Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (Maximum Penalty of 4 Years)
According to the prosecutor, Ropke was found in possession of photos and videos of sexually abusive images of children. Ropke was arrested on April 21. He was arraigned in Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court on Wednesday and given a $1 million cash bond with a GPS tether.
Wayne County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tina Ripley outlined the details of the case during the hearing.
"He engaged with others online, receiving and distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material images," Ripley said. "Putting faces of himself and family members on images of children engaging in sexual acts."
The images also include secretly captured videos of Ropke engaged in a sexual act with another person.
Ripley argued that Ropke poses a danger to the community and is a flight risk. Parnell granted Ripley's request to set bond at $1 million cash surety, no 10%.
Ropke was already on probation at the time of his arrest. He was charged with driving under the influence in Grosse Pointe Farms last September.
"I am also concerned with the fact that these charges are alleged to have been committed during a period of probation," Parnell said.
Roger Mason, a father who lives on Ropke's street, expressed shock over the allegations.
"I mean, it's disgusting people like that shouldn't be roaming free," Mason said.
His probable cause conference is scheduled for May 5 at 9 a.m., and his preliminary examination is scheduled for May 13 at 9 a.m.
“There are many times in this job where we encounter alleged facts where you wonder how some people can sink to certain levels of depravity. This is one of those cases. There is really nothing left to say here,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
