An Ocean County youth wrestling coach and referee admitted to distributing child pornography Tuesday.
Alec Donovan, 26, a former state wrestling champion from Brick, faces a potential sentence of five to 20 years..
Donovan admitted that from January through March 2021, he used an internet-based application to exchange multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse, including depictions involving pre-pubescent children.
He 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 the case.
His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 10.
The Brick Memorial High School graduate was a top college recruit in 2015. He then garnered attention for his decision to come out so that recruiters knew he was gay.
U.S. Philip Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to Donovan's eventual plea.
