Ocean County youth wrestling coach charged after sharing explicit photos of minors

TRENTON, NJ – Alec Donovan, a 26-year-old youth wrestling coach and referee from Ocean County, pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Donovan admitted to the charge in front of U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court on Tuesday.

Between January and March 2021, Donovan used an internet-based application to exchange explicit material involving minors, some as young as pre-pubescent. He also solicited and exchanged explicit conversations and photos with minors using the same application.

Donovan is due to be sentenced on October 10, 2023. The charge carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000.