Saint Joseph's employee arrested on drug charges

Former Saint Joseph's University employee F. Bruce Covington has been charged with drug-related offenses and is being held on $500,000 bail.

Covington, 57, of Narbreth has also been named a suspect in the alleged drugging and rape of a 27-year-old man on Feb. 8, according to an affidavit of probable cause written by Narberth Police Sgt. Robert Yantorno. Covington's residence was searched on Feb 12.

No sexual-assault-related charges have been filed.

Covington was the director of planned giving in the Office of Development until this month.

Covington faces one count of possession of marijuana, three counts of drug possession with intent to deliver, 116 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and one count of conspiracy.

Narberth police were contacted by the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit regarding the alleged rape. They then interviewed the victim, who had been admitted to the Fairmount Hospital Behavioral Center due to the "severe trauma of his rape", according to the affidavit.

The affidavit states that the man told police that "Bruce" provided him with crystal methamphetamine and a needle, and helped with injection of the drug. The man also said he was given other drugs, most likely gamma hydroxybutyrate acid, (GHB), a "date rape" drug.

The affidavit says that inside Covington's apartment was found suspected crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, suspected GHB, and drug paraphernalia including new and used syringes, needles, pipes and vials.

The crack and crystal methamphetamine tested positive in the field and were submitted to a lab for more testing, along with the marijuana and GHB, according to the affidavit.

Covington was charged on Feb. 15 and a preliminary hearing was held Feb. 21.

According to an e-mail from University Communications sent out to the University community following his arrest, Covington was employed at Saint Joseph's from June 1, 2005 to Feb. 15, 2008, the effective date of his termination as an employee.

In the e-mail, the University asked employees to refer all inquires from the media to University Communications.

Harriet Goodheart, assistant vice president of University Communications said the University had no comment at this time because of the ongoing criminal investigation.

Covington previously drew attention in the alleged September 2006 drugging and murder of 23-year-old Jason Sheppard in Thornbury. Delaware County. Authorities say Covington was at the home of accused killer, William F. Smithson, at the time of Sheppard's death.