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Press Release

Muncie Pedophile Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material Via Kik

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS- Benjamin Covey, 43, of Eaton, Indiana was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for distribution of child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, on January 28, 2022, the Muncie Police Department (MPD) received an FBI tip stating that images depicting child sexual abuse had been uploaded to the instant messaging application, Kik, by username “BosJangles.” The username belonged to Benjamin Covey. That same day, it was also discovered that Covey had been accused of allowing juveniles to drink and showing them sexually explicit materials.

Investigators with the MPD contacted Covey, who agreed to an interview. Covey confirmed he used the Kik account “BosJangles” to join a group chat called “pedo for kids.” Investigators searched Covey’s cellphone and uncovered 600 images depicting child sexual abuse material. Many of the images depicted prepubescent boys being made to engage in sex acts. At least one of the images depicted an adult engaged in a sex act with a toddler.

“This dangerous criminal used Kik to find other pedophiles and share the horrific abuse of the most vulnerable victims,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Those who gather online to revel in the exploitation of children will be identified and prosecuted. I am grateful to the FBI and the Muncie Police Department for work to ensure that this defendant will serve a significant prison sentence, where out children will be out of his reach.”

“The distribution of child sexual abuse material over any platform is not a harmless, victimless crime, but one that continues to traumatize these children every time it is viewed,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The most vulnerable in our society deserve all the protection we can provide, and the FBI and our partners are committed to unmasking these predators and holding them accountable.”

The FBI investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Muncie Police Department. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge, Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Covey be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison. Covey must also register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, who prosecuted this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc

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Updated May 3, 2023

Topic
Project Safe Childhood