Government

Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit Arrests a Former Galveston County Peace Officer - Weldon Kovacevich, Jr. - for Child Porn

Attorney General Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit arrested a former Galveston County peace officer who was caught with more than a thousand images of children engaged in sexual conduct.

From the Office of Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

January 28, 2006

AUSTIN – Attorney General Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit arrested a former Galveston County peace officer who was caught with more than a thousand images of children engaged in sexual conduct.

Investigators arrested Weldon Kovacevich Jr., 44, on Wednesday when he showed up at the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, thinking he would be picking up personal property.

He was charged with possession and promotion of child pornography.

“ Law enforcement officers and public servants are supposed to protect our children, not exploit them,” Attorney General Abbott.

He added: “My office will aggressively prosecute the case against Mr. Kovacevich, who must be held accountable for his actions. I appreciate the Galveston Police Department and the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation in this case.”

Cyber Crimes investigators executed a search warrant at Kovacevich’s home on Jan. 12. In addition to the images of child pornogrphy in his possession, they also found evidence he had been transmitting the images to others. He is now in the Galveston County Jail on $150,000 bond.

Kovacevich worked for the Bayou Vista (Galveston County) Police Department from 1995 to 2003 and for the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office from 1991 to 1995. He is currently employed as a loan officer with a mortgage company.

Possession of child pornography is a third-degree felony, with a punishment range of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Promotion is a second-degree felony that carries a possible punishment of two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Cracking down on sexual predators is a top priority of Attorney General Abbott’s administration. His office has obtained convictions against 33 men on child pornography charges since Attorney General Abbott took office in December 2002.

The Cyber Crimes Unit, which also tracks down individuals who use the Internet to solicit meetings with children for sex, has arrested 71 of these predators since Abbott took office in December 2002.

The Fugitive Unit, which locates convicted child sex offenders who have violated the terms of their parole and could be stalking children, has arrested 257 of these parolees. The Fugitive Unit has also arrested 38 unregistered sex offenders and another 18 men and women in other operations.

For more information, visit the Attorney General’s Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us or call (800) 252-8011.

Photo credit: Photo of Weldon Kovacevich, Jr. released by Attorney General’s Office.