Tristan Kovacs, 22, of Waverly, New York, pled guilty in federal court on June 17, 2026, to charges of sexual exploitation of a child and transportation of child pornography, following an admission of producing and distributing an explicit image involving himself and a 10-year-old girl.
Kovacs admitted that in April 2025, he created a sexually explicit image involving himself and a 10-year-old female child, which he then uploaded to a pornographic website for others to access. The sexual exploitation charge carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, while the transportation charge has a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years.
Both offenses also carry a potential fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release ranging from five years to life, with Kovacs also required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for October 6, 2026, in Utica, New York, before United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III emphasized the commitment to justice, saying, "This defendant has finally admitted the reprehensible conduct he engaged in which included his victimization of a nine-year-old child. My office will now ensure the defendant spends decades in federal prison where he belongs." FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli added that the plea "ensures he will spend at least the next two decades in federal prison."
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the New York State Police, with assistance from local law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative targeting child sexual exploitation.