BRICK, NJ – Alec Donovan, a 26-year-old from Brick Township and a youth wrestling coach and referee, has been sentenced to 30 years of federal supervision following his release from prison. U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Philip R. Sellinger, announced the sentencing, highlighting Donovan’s online activities where he befriended young people, sharing with them images and videos of child sexual abuse and nude photos of himself.
Donovan, associated with the Shorething Wrestling Club in Lakewood, accepted a plea deal from the government, pleading guilty to the distribution of child [censored]ography in June, to avoid the risk of trial.
His career in wrestling has been notable; as a 2015 New Jersey state champion from Brick Memorial High School, he became the NCAA’s first openly gay wrestler, facing challenges including losing a scholarship due to a concussion and experiencing homophobic insults, which led him to transfer to Centenary University in Hackettstown.
There, he achieved status as the school’s first Greco Roman All-American and served as an unofficial spokesperson and counselor for gay teens.