NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A sixteen-plus yr veteran of, and former sergeant with, the Newport Information Police Division was sentenced at the moment to 25 years in jail for the sexual exploitation of youngsters and receipt of kid pornography.
In accordance with courtroom paperwork, Michael Nicholas Covey, 39, of Newport Information, used a toddler to interact in sexually express conduct for the needs of manufacturing a visible depiction of such conduct. In a separate investigation, youngster sexual assault pictures had been discovered on a convicted intercourse offender’s digital units in Cincinnati, Ohio. These pictures had been submitted to the Nationwide Heart for Lacking and Exploited Kids (NCMEC) in Alexandria. Through the evaluation of the pictures, NCMEC decided that the pictures might have been produced in Newport Information. NCMEC forwarded the data to the Southern Virginia Web Crimes Towards Kids Job Pressure, which, in flip, contacted the FBI. Brokers with the FBI had been capable of determine the kid depicted within the pictures. Additional investigation led the brokers to the defendant, Michael Nicholas Covey. He was arrested on a federal legal grievance on Friday, June 10.
In accordance with courtroom paperwork, Covey was initially indicted in June 2022 on three counts of sexual exploitation of a kid. Regulation enforcement later found a further cellular telephone belonging to Covey that he had hid in a container at the back of his patrol automobile. New proof on this cellphone led to extra fees of sexual exploitation of a second minor sufferer, in addition to receipt and possession of kid pornography counts in a superseding indictment filed in July 2022. Covey additionally obtained a sentencing enhancement for obstructing justice. Covey pleaded responsible to 2 counts of sexual exploitation of a kid and one rely of receipt of kid pornography final September.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Legal professional for the Jap District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Particular Agent in Cost of the FBI’s Norfolk Area Workplace, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Decide Mark S. Davis.
Newport Information Police Division offered important help on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Peter G. Osyf prosecuted the case.
This case was introduced as a part of Venture Secure Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in Might 2006 by the Division of Justice to fight the rising epidemic of kid sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Legal professional’s Places of work and the Little one Exploitation and Obscenity Part (CEOS), Venture Secure Childhood marshals federal, state, and native assets to raised find, apprehend, and prosecute people who exploit kids by way of the web, in addition to to determine and rescue victims. For extra details about Venture Secure Childhood, please go to www.justice.gov/psc.
A replica of this press launch is situated on the web site of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Jap District of Virginia. Associated courtroom paperwork and data are situated on the web site of the District Court for the Jap District of Virginia or on PACER by trying to find Case No. 4:22-cr-48.