Athens man faces child sex assault and domestic violence charges

Investigators said a juvenile victim described abuse beginning when the child was 12.

A 33-year-old Athens man is facing multiple felony accusations tied to allegations of child sexual abuse, domestic violence and supplying alcohol to minors in incidents said to span from 2018 through 2024.

David Covey was arraigned Tuesday in Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division, where he entered not guilty pleas to three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, first degree aggravated domestic assault, domestic assault and furnishing alcohol to or enabling consumption of alcohol by minors. The court set bail at $50,000 after he had initially been held without bail following his arrest Monday.

According to a police affidavit, the accusations surfaced during a State Police investigation launched in spring 2025. Investigators said a juvenile victim described abuse beginning when the child was 12. Police also allege Covey threatened victims with violence and supplied alcohol to children.

The affidavit describes a separate adult victim who reported an episode near December 2018 in which Covey allegedly forced a small pistol handgun into her mouth, handed it to her and urged her to kill herself. That victim also told police he threw her to the ground and stomped on her head.

Another reported attack took place around April 2024, when Covey allegedly seized the same woman by the head and pulled her down toward the center console of a vehicle. Investigators said he then struck the back of her head in a way meant to avoid visible bruising and continued punching her.

Police said they reviewed photographs of injuries, medical records and text messages about the alleged assault, and also interviewed multiple witnesses as part of the investigation.