ALBANY, NY (607NewsNow) – A Waverly man will spend time in federal prison.
On June 17, Tristin Kovacs pled guilty to felony charges of sexual exploitation of a child and transportation of child pornography.
According to the Justice Department, Kovacs admitted in court to producing a sexually explicit image of himself with a 9-year-old in April 2025 and uploading it to a website. Kovacs, now 22, was 21 at the time, and the victim has since turned 10.
“Mr. Kovacs’ depraved abuse caused irreparable trauma to the child he victimized,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli. “This plea ensures he will spend at least the next two decades in federal prison. This investigation should send a strong message to any predator looking to perpetuate the abuse of our most vulnerable that the FBI will find you and send you to prison where you belong.”
Kovacs will spend a minimum of 20 years behind bars, and as many as 50. He will also be subject to up to $500,000 in fines, five years of post-release supervision, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 6, 2026.
