Youth wrestling coach and referee from Ocean County admits distribution of child pornography
NEW JERSEY – An Ocean County man Wednesday admitted distributing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Alec Donovan, 26, of Brick Township, a youth wrestling coach and referee, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court to one count of distribution of child pornography.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, from January 2021 through March 2021, Donovan used an internet-based application to exchange multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse, including depictions involving pre-pubescent children.
Donovan also used the web-based messaging application to solicit and engage in conversations with minors, including requesting nude photographs from the minors and sending nude photographs to them, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.
The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Donovan is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 10.
Donovan attended Centenary University in Hackettstown from 2016-2020 and was their wrestling and cross country teams. During his freshman year (2016-2017) on the wrestling team, he was named Centenary Male Rookie of the Year.