A former Ohio police officer, who was part of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program for students, was arrested Thursday morning on charges of producing, distributing, receiving, transporting, and possessing child pornography. The ex-cop was also charged with tampering with a witness or informant.
“Kevin A. Kovacs, a former longtime Beavercreek police officer, was arrested this morning on federal charges of producing, distributing, receiving, transporting and possessing child pornography,” U.S. Attorney David DeVillers announced in a press release on Thursday. “Additionally, Kovacs is charged with tampering with a witness or informant.”
The Beavercreek police hired Kovacs in September 1992. He resigned from the department in August 2018.
From 2012 to 2018, Kovacs also worked as a D.A.R.E. officer for the Beavercreek school district.
“Beavercreek City Schools administration was alarmed after learning of the allegations against Ofc. Kovacs,” stated 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.”
In a recent statement, Beavercreek Police Chief Dennis Evers said: “Mr. Kovacs was hired September 14, 1992 and retired from the police department August 4, 2018. As a police officer, he swore an oath to uphold the law. The conduct he is alleged to have committed is both disgusting and extremely disappointing. 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.
“The Beavercreek Police Department has cooperated fully with the Fairborn Police Department and the FBI in this investigation. Due to the security measures in place within the police department, there is no indication at this point City computers were used to download any inappropriate material while Mr. Kovacs was employed with the City.
“This type of activity involving exploitation of children is a larger problem plaguing our society and a much bigger challenge for law enforcement to combat. Although technology has improved, which has made it somewhat easier for law enforcement to detect and track this illegal activity, that same technology has made it easier for the perpetrators to easily access the dark web where this type of activity is readily available. I encourage legislators to look at the passage of more stringent laws that would make it more difficult to access this disturbing material on the internet and increasing penalties for those who choose to knowingly access and download any of this material.”
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