Defendant sent to prison for meth claims he was sexually assaulted in jail.

Dustin Kropf

Defendant sent to prison for meth claims he was sexually assaulted in jail.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 33-year-old Muskegon man was sentenced to two to 10 years in prison Tuesday, June 9, in 51st Circuit Court for a felony conviction of methamphetamine possession and a misdemeanor conviction of false pretenses.

Dustin Thomas Kropf, of 3523 Hawley St., claims he was sexually assaulted while lodged in the Mason County Jail.

Kropf, who received credit for 196 days served in jail, alleges he was sexually assaulted by three inmates. Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said two suspects are charged with assault, but there is no video evidence that a sexual assault occurred.

“Justice is only truly done when it’s convenient for the prosecutor’s office,” Kropf said to Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “This whole situation has truly made me feel that justice is dead.” Kropf appeared in court from the jail via Zoom videoconferencing due to COVID-19.

“Mr. Kropf was referencing an incident alleged to have occurred at the jail earlier this year in which a physical assault occurred,” said Spaniola in a statement to MCP. “However, the review of the surveillance video does not show a sexual assault as that term is defined in Michigan law, but rather a physical assault. Additionally, no sexual contact as defined in Michigan law was alleged and none reflected on the video recording. Two individuals have been charged with assault or assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor. These cases remain pending, and they are presumed innocent unless found guilty after a trial.”

“That case is not currently before me, so I can’t comment on it,” said Judge Sniegowski to Kropf. “I would be happy to discuss the situation with him before he’s transferred to the MDOC,” Spaniola told the judge.

Kropf has served three previous prison sentences. According to the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), he served: one year and seven months to 15 years for a 2014 Muskegon County conviction of analogues delivery; one year and six months to 15 years for a 2012 Muskegon County conviction of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC); and five years for a 2007 Muskegon County conviction of second-degree CSC.

Kropf currently faces a meth possession charge in Muskegon County, Spaniola said.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 19-38 months.

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