NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A former Newport News police officer pleaded not guilty to five new child pornography charges Monday morning, weeks after federal agents arrested him for alleged sexual exploitation.
Michael Covey was taken into custody at the Newport News Police Department headquarters on June 10, where he was charged with crimes against children. A week later in court, he pleaded not guilty to that count.
A grand jury determined there is enough evidence for Covey to go to trial on additional charges: four counts of sexual exploitation of children, three counts of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
In new court documents obtained by 13News Now, investigators said the exploitation and receipt crimes happened around Dec. 30, 2021.
The paperwork goes on to say the possession crime happened two months ago, around June 10, the same day Covey was arrested.
If convicted, Covey could face up to 20 years in prison. Court documents said he would also have to hand over any property used in the alleged crimes.
It's not clear what evidence led to the new charges on Monday.
Newport News Police Department spokeswoman Kelly King said Covey is no longer employed at the department. He worked there for 16 years.
13News Now previously found documents that suggest this investigation dates back to another child exploitation case in February out of Southeastern Ohio.