Man charged with 8 felonies after allegedly taking photos up women’s skirts at work, retailers

Jul 11, 2023

Matthew Kurtz (Photo provided by Kent County Sheriff's Office)

KENT COUNTY, MI – A Kent County man has been charged with eight felonies after allegedly possessing thousands of photos showing up women’s skirts and dresses at his workplace and nearby retailers.

Some of the more than 17,000 images allegedly found on Matthew Kurtz’ electronic devices also included “numerous” images of child pornography, including “prepubescent children performing sexual acts,” detectives wrote in a probable cause affidavit.

Kurtz, a 33-year-old Grattan Township man, was arraigned Wednesday, July 19, on three counts of capturing or distributing an image of unclothed person, one count of aggravated possession child sexually abusive material and four counts of using a computer to commit a crime.

Kent County District Judge Jeffrey J. O’Hara set Kurtz’ bond at $400,000.

Kent County sheriff’s deputies began investigating June 23 after a report of a man attempting to take a photo up a woman’s skirt or dress while she was shopping at the Walmart on 28th Street SE in Cascade Township.

Related: Man took photos up women’s skirts, had thousands of images, police say

The man in question was wearing a Porsche shirt, leading detectives to identify the man as Kurtz, who worked as a service consultant at the Porsche Grand Rapids dealership next door to the Walmart, according to the affidavit.

Porsche Grand Rapids did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to WOOD TV8, Kurtz has been fired from the dealership.

In the affidavit, detectives allege that Kurtz admitted to them that he took photographs and videos at various places of business.

He further allegedly confessed he had been taking photos up women’s skirts and dresses for over the last year, according to the affidavit.

After detectives seized his electronic devices, they found more than 17,000 photos either taken or saved on one of the devices.

Some of the photos were taken at his work, others at the Target, Walmart and Meijer on 28th Street, according to the affidavit.

On his phone, detectives also allegedly found numerous photos of child pornography, including children engaged in sexual acts.

Deputies have identified several victims but said there are many others who have not been identified. Deputies have asked anyone who may have been victimized to call Kent County Sheriff’s Office detectives at 616-632-6125.

Court services had recommended, and Kurtz’ attorney asked for, a personal recognizance bond that likely would’ve allowed Kurtz to be free from jail pending trial without payment so long as he abided by certain conditions.

Attorney Tom Siver, who is representing Kurtz, said his client isn’t a danger and wouldn’t commit crimes or leave the state if released from jail ahead of future court hearings.

“This has been an eye-opener for him,” Siver said. “He’s taking it extremely serious.”

O’Hara disagreed with the bond recommendation, saying it’s alleged that Kurtz engaged in predatory behavior. The judge went over the allegations against Kurtz and then expressed concern about the safety of the community.

“The court is concerned regarding the safety of children in our community,” O’Hara said. “The court is concerned regarding the safety of women in our community. And the court is concerned regarding the overall safety of our community.”