Rensselaer County man charged with child sexual exploitation

CROPSEYVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A Rensselaer County man is facing charges following a sexual exploitation investigation, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday. Justin K. Covell, 31, of Cropseyville is being charged in connection with four separate incidents involving the sexual exploitation of four minors.

In the town of Petersburgh, Covell was reportedly charged with: 

• Endangering the welfare of a child 
• Possessing sexual performance by a child 
• Promote a sexual performance by a child 
• First-degree disseminate indecent material to minors 

In the town of Grafton, Covell was reportedly charged with: 

• Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child 
• First-degree disseminate indecent materials to minors 

In the town of Stephentown, Covell was reportedly charged with: 

• Endangering the welfare of a child 

According to police, Covell turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office and was arraigned in the Town of Berlin Court on Thursday. He was reportedly released to the Rensselaer County Probation Department and placed under electronic monitoring. 

A full stay-away order of protection was issued for the minor victims and their families, police said. Additional court proceedings have also been scheduled.