Youth wrestling coach, referee sentenced to 87 months in prison for distribution of child pornography
NEW JERSEY – An Ocean County man was sentenced to 87 months in prison for distributing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Alec Donovan, 26, of Brick Township, a youth wrestling coach and referee, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi to one count of distribution of child pornography. Judge Quraishi imposed the sentence on March 28 in Trenton federal court, Sellinger said.
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.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Quraishi sentenced Donovan to 30 years of supervised release.
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.
