Zane Ishmael Covington, the logo of his band and a tattoo of it on his right shoulder. Source: Facebook posts on 2/14/25, 9/14/25 and 8/22/23.
Two minor victims, both under 5 years old
Was drummer for band named “Locked Up”
By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California
OAKLAND – Zane Ishmael Covington was sentenced Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, 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.
According to localcrimenews.com, Covington is White and was also arrested in 2010 by San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Deputies for possession of a controlled substance.
According to mylife.com, he was born on May 2, 1972, and previously lived in Richmond, Livermore and South Lake Tahoe, CA.
According to an East Bay Times report, Covington was “the drummer for an East Bay metal band known as Locked Up.” His Facebook page shows the band’s name and logo, and a photo of a tattoo of the logo on his right shoulder.
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.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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