Doctor found guilty on three possession charges

A Cape Girardeau judge found Dr. Reno Cova guilty Friday on two counts of possession of controlled substances and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges were the result of a search warrant served at the 64-year-old doctor's Cape Girardeau residence Feb. 16 of last year.

The search yielded crack cocaine and several crack pipes.

In 1984, Cova was prosecuted for drug-related charges in federal court and received a sentence of six months of confinement and two and a half years of probation.

Sentencing was set for Feb. 25.

"There were tips and concerns about possible drug dealings by Cova that were expressed for at least the past year, and they ultimately resulted in a search warrant being obtained," said Sgt. Barry Hovis, spokesman for the police department.

As of Friday, Cova still maintained a valid physician's and surgeon's license, according to the Missouri Division of Professional Registration.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245