Terre Haute man gets 12-years in prison for child porn possession

Covert/Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man was sentenced to a twelve -year executed sentence in the Indiana Department of Correction following a plea agreement  to  several charges of  possession of child pornography.

Stephen W. Covert, 43, was arrested in July and booked into the Vigo County Jail on four counts of Level 5 felony possession of child pornography.
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The Vigo County Prosecutor's Office announced the sentencing today.

Covert entered into a plea agreement that called for the defendant to admit his guilt to the four counts and receive no more than a fifteen - year executed sentence.  

Chief Deputy Rob Roberts explained that while the defense argued for a three-year sentence, The State argued the defendant should receive the full fifteen year executed sentence. 

"Vigo Superior Court Division 1 Judge John Roach found it was appropriate to run advisory three year sentences on each count consecutively based on aggravating circumstances, resulting in the total twelve year prison sentence," Roberts said.

Prosecutor Terry Modesitt recognized Detective Kevin Getz and the other members of the Indiana State Police Crimes Against Children Unit for their work on the case.

"Having law enforcement teams like this is a horrible necessity in these times.  The level of professionalism and diligence of this team in tracking down these criminals is to be commended and we cannot thank them enough," he said.