CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of possessing child pornography waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Jerry Kovach, Sr., age 69, of Walnut Street, Clearfield, faces charges of: 1) sexual abuse of children-dissemination of photographs, videotapes, computer depictions and films, F3; 2) sexual abuse of children- possession of child pornography; 3) criminal use of a communication facility, F3; and 4) obscene and other sexual material and performances, F3.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Clearfield Borough Police Department Acting Chief Vince McGinnis states that on Aug. 4, 2010, Tpr. David Powell of the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crime Unit searched the Gnutella network for files which depicted child pornography. Powell was able to directly connect to a computer that shared files depicting children performing sexual acts.
Powell was able to use the I.P. address assigned to the computer to determine the customer information belonging to that I.P. address. The I.P. address was found to belong to Kovach, at his Walnut Street residence. A search warrant was obtained and served at the residence. At that time, a computer was seized and found to contain computer depictions of children under the age of 18 years of age engaging in a prohibited sexual acts or the simulation of such acts. Kovach was at the residence during the execution of the search warrant.
Kovach was taken into custody on Jan. 13, 2011Â and arraigned on the charges.
Following the announcement by his legal counsel that he was waiving, defense attorney Charles Brace asked for bail reduction. He noted that Kovach has a number of health issues, is elderly and has family in the area. Magisterial District Judge Richard Ireland denied the motion, but indicated they could file a motion for bail reduction at the courthouse.
Kovach’s bail has been set at $50,000 and he is currently being held in Clearfield County Jail.
