Michigan’s anesthesiologist declares himself guilty of child pornography that supposedly involves young children

Washtenaw County, Mich. – An anesthesiologist from Michigan, Joel Michael Adelsberg, 36, declared himself guilty of a federal position for distribution of child pornography, according to judicial documents.

Adelsberg, whose record program had been practicing medicine since March 2016, was affiliated with Ann Arbor, PLLC (A4) and Trinity Health – Campus Ann Arbor.

Federal accusation and charges

In October 2023, it is alleged that Adelsberg used the application of social networks “Kik” and Internet and knew “that the child pornography he distributed included an image of the face of a post -posted adult woman with the exposed genitals of a girl of approximately 6 to 8 years”.

The judicial documents also revealed that Adelsberg’s main cell phone also showed an image of the adult woman who performed oral sex over the minor girl.

Federal researchers say that in February 2024 they also found Adelsberg in possession of “at least” 106 videos and 49 images of child pornography on four different cell phones.

Child pornography in the Adelsberg collection included representations of prepubescent minors under 12, including young children, as well as “sadistic and/or masochistic behavior.”

On August 7, 2024, federal prosecutors presented a motion to seal the order of accusation and arrest against Adelsberg, citing concerns that public dissemination could lead to the risk of escape, the destruction of evidence and intimidation of witnesses.

The accusation accused Adelsberg with:

• Count one: child pornography distribution

• Count Dos: possession of child pornography: “Involving minors and preposcent children under 12 years.”

In addition, Adelsberg was forced to lose articles supposedly used in crimes, including five Samsung cell phones that, according to prosecutors, contained illicit photos and videos.

Guilt and sentence agreement

Adelsberg signed a guilt on February 28, 2025, after the Government offered it on December 12, 2024. According to the terms of the agreement:

• He declared himself guilty of telling one (distribution of child pornography).

• He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years in prison.

• If the Court accepts the guilt agreement, counting two (possession of child pornography) will be dismissed.

• It will serve five years of supervised release when completing your prison sentence.

• It must register as a sexual offender for at least 20 years, potentially for life.

• He agrees to pay restitution to identifiable victims.

In addition, the justice law for trafficking victims requires that Adelsberg pay a special evaluation of $ 5,000, unless it is considered homeless, among other fines.

Employers termination

It was known that Adelsberg worked in Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor (A4) located in 2006 Hogback RD in Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Campus of Trinity Health in 5301 and Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor.

He also associated with McLaren Greater Lansing in 401 W Greenlawn Avenue, but a McLaren spokesman tells Local 4 that Adelsberg does not have credentials in McLaren Greater Lansing and is not a member of his medical staff.

“He only trained as a hospital resident, leaving after his graduation in July 2020,” they said.

Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor (A4) lists its partners on its website, and that includes Trinity Health, aveled, Toledo Clinic, McLaren, Garden City Hospital, Chelsea Hospital (Trinity / Um Health), Huron Gastro and Forest Health Medical Center.

It is unknown what facilities Adelsberg practiced and for how long.

Ann Arbor’s anesthesia associates published the following statement:

“Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor is committed to the highest ethical and professional standards.

Trinity Health Michigan, where Adelsberg is associated, declared that they realized for the first time the guilt agreement on March 7, 2025, and that Adelsberg had not notified as required by the court. His privileges of medical personnel ended the same day, on March 7, 2025.

Trinity Health published the following statement:

“We were surprised to know about the accusation and guilt agreement against this individual, who has never been an employee of our health system.

Judgment

“The guilty agreement requires that (Adelsberg) to have to register as a sexual offender,” said Gina Balaya, of the United States Prosecutor’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan. “If that requires that you do it at the time of its plea or sentence it is not clear.”

On Monday, March 17, 2025, multiple searches for Joel Michael Adelsberg in the Michigan Sexual Criminal Registry and the National Registry of Sexual Criminals was empty.

Balaoya said he could not make comments since this case is considered pending, while Adelsberg expects the sentence, which is scheduled for June 25.