WILKES-BARRE — Convicted violent sexual predator Jack Covert said he was “sorry for this whole mess” before he was sentenced to 52 years, six months to 112 years on multiple sexual assault type offenses and possession of child pornography, as well as 21 years probation.
Covert, 66, formerly of Second Street, Dallas Township, was convicted by separate Luzerne County juries and pleaded no contest to others in sexually assaulting, and in some cases raping, children in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Judge David W. Lupas called the offenses, “unspeakable” as Covert preyed upon the children of his girlfriends.
The only good news Covert received was being credited for 1,541 days time served since his initial arrest by Dallas Township police Detective Robert Odgers in 2021.
Prior to being sentenced, Paula Brust, a board member with the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender’s Board, testified Covert met the criteria as violent sexual predator who preyed upon children for nearly 30 years.
Three of the victims, all women, spoke Tuesday telling Lupas how the impact of being sexually assaulted by Covert is still affected today. One victim said the assaults changed the trajectory of her life as another victim said she continues to have “flashbacks” after 25 years.
“I’m sorry for this whole mess. This is ridiculous, your honor. That’s all I have to say,” Covert said.
Covert made an effort at leniency saying he helped thwart a prison-plan murder plot that targeted a magisterial district judge.
In her opinion of her evaluation of Covert, Brust testified Covert sought “vulnerable” women with children for his girlfriends as he preyed upon his girlfriends’ children.
The youngest victim was 5-years-old as the oldest was 15.
List of Covert’s jury convictions and a plea agreement:
Oct. 30, 2024: A jury convicted Covert on two counts of rape and one count each of criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent exposure and indecent assault.
May 22, 2024: A jury convicted Covert on six counts of possession of child pornography and a single count of criminal use of communication facility.
April 23, 2024: Covert pleaded no-contest to criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and two counts each of indecent assault involving three girls.
March 14, 2024: A jury convicted Covert of corruption of minors and indecent assault.
Being designated as a violent sexual predator, Covert is subject to mandatory lifetime registration of his address, vehicle ownership and employment address under the state’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act.
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