A former longtime Beavercreek police and D.A.R.E officer was arrested today on federal charges of producing, distributing, receiving, transporting and possessing child pornography, said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers.
Kevin A. Kovacs appeared in federal court at 1:30 p.m. today and is scheduled to appear again tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. for a detention hearing.
>> DeWine plans to begin reopening process for companies May 1
News Center 7 was at Kovacs’ Fairborn home in December, when Fairborn police were assisting with a search warrant. At the time, police declined to comment on the nature of their investigation.
Kovacs was additionally charged with tampering with a witness or informant.
Additional details about Kovacs case were not immediately available and the complaint affidavit in federal court remains sealed, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Kovacs was hired by Beavercreek police in September of 1992 and retired from the department in August 2018.
“The conduct he is alleged to have committed is both disgusting and extremely disappointing,” said Beavercreek Police Chief Dennis Evers. “As a former D.A.R.E. officer who received departmental and community awards for his work, he, of all people, knew this criminal activity to be exploitation of children and unlawful.”
Evers said due to security measures in place within the police department, there is no indication at this point that city computers were used to download any inappropriate material while Kovacs was employed by the city.
Kovacs also worked as a D.A.R.E. officer for the Beavercreek school district from 2012 until the conclusion of the 2017-2018 school year.
“Beavercreek City Schools administration was alarmed after learning of the allegations against Ofc. Kovacs,” said Beavercreek Superintendent Paul Otten. “School staff and parents have been notified about this alleged incident and are encouraged to reach out to local law enforcement if they have specific concerns or information related to this case.”
Evers also added that this type of activity is part of a larger problem in today’s society and he’s encouraging legislatures to look at passing more stringent laws that would make it more difficult to access this kind of material on the internet. He also is calling for the increasing of penalties who chose to knowingly access and download the material.
If you have information related to this case, contact the FBI at 513-421-4310 or the Fairborn Police Department at 937-343-8854.
© 2020 Cox Media Group
