GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. – A local attorney facing 26 felonies for using photos of family members’ faces in child sexually abusive material to view and distribute to others pleaded guilty in the case last week.
Prosecutors allege that Nelson Otto Ropke, 41, of Grosse Pointe Park, created the child pornography by pasting the faces of his family members — including his own face — onto images of children engaged in sexual acts before viewing and sharing them.
They also accused him of secretly capturing videos and pictures of himself and his ex-wife engaged in sexual acts, and sharing the materials on a website.
“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,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy about the case. “This is one of those cases. There is really nothing left to say here.”
Ropke was arraigned in April on the following felony counts:
- Two counts of aggravated child sexually abusive activity — a felony with a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison
- Four counts of aggravated distribution of child sexually abusive activity — a felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison
- Four counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive activity — a felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison
- Two counts of capturing/distributing an image of an unclothed person — a felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison
- One count of possession of child sexually abusive matter — a felony with a maximum penalty of four years in prison
- 13 counts of using a computer to commit a crime — all felonies with various maximum penalties
According to court records, Ropke was previously sentenced to 24 months of probation for disturbing the peace/disorderly person and operating while impaired in September 2024 — prompting concerns from the judge that Ropke’s latest charges violated the conditions of his probation.
Since Ropke initially entered a not guilty plea in the case, a jury trial had been scheduled for Sept. 27, however the trial was canceled after he changed his plea to guilty on July 2.
He is now scheduled to be sentenced in the 3rd Circuit Court before Judge Darnella Williams-Claybourne at 8:30 a.m. July 27.