Former Madisonville Policeman Placed on Probation for Domestic Retaliation

BRYAN, Texas (AP) _ A former Central Texas police officer has been sentenced to five years of probation for having drugs planted in his ex-wife’s vehicle during a 2011 custody dispute.

A jury in Bryan last week convicted ex-Madisonville police Sgt. Jeffrey Covington of retaliation. Covington on Monday reached a sentencing agreement for probation and also must serve 30 days in jail, plus give up his peace officer’s license. Drug and official oppression charges were dropped.

Laura Covington was charged with drug possession following a November 2011 traffic stop. Investigators say Jeffrey Covington arranged for a police informant, who later cooperated with prosecutors, to put methamphetamine under his ex-wife’s vehicle. Charges against her were later dropped.

Jeffrey Covington resigned from the police force and gave up custody of his two children amid the investigation.

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