54 year old sentenced to 25 years for producing child pornography

 

Today, U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar sentenced 54-Year-Old Brentwood resident, Zane Ishmael Covington to 25 years in federal prison for production, receipt, and possession of child pornography.

The U.S. Attorney's Office of Northern California issued a press release just now with details.

"Zane Ishmael Covington was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for production, receipt, and possession of child pornography.  U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar handed down the sentence.

Covington, a 54-year-old Brentwood resident, was charged by complaint on September 29, 2025, and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on October 30, 2025, for these charges.  Covington pleaded guilty on June 5, 2026, to all counts charged in the federal indictment.  According to the plea agreement, Covington admitted to producing visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct in May 2021 and February 2022, involving two minor victims, both of whom were under 5 years old and to whom he held a position of trust.

In addition, Covington received child pornography involving a minor younger than 10 years old in August 2025, and, beginning from an unknown date continuing through October 1, 2025, Covington possessed hundreds of videos and images of child pornography involving prepubescent minors and toddlers.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Brannigan made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Jon S. Tigar also sentenced the defendant to a 10-year period of supervised release and ordered a $400 special assessment, forfeiture of electronic devices, and restitution in an amount to be determined on November 20, 2026.  Covington remains in federal custody.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly I. Volkar is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessie Chelsea, Amala James, Andy Ding, and Yenni Weinberg.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the HSI San Francisco, the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office."