A New Jersey youth wrestling coach who was the first openly gay wrestler on the NCCA has been sentenced to seven years in prison for disturbing child pornography.
Alec Donovan was sentenced on Thursday to serve 87 months in federal prison after he was found guilty of distributing child porn.
U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi also sentenced Donovan to 30 years of supervised release.
Donovan, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.
Court documents stated:
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 2015, Donovan made the headlines after becoming the “NCAA’s first openly gay wrestler,” the Associated Press reported.
“A 2017 story in the NCAA-published Champion magazine detailed Donovan’s struggles with depression in high school and his efforts to counsel other gay wrestlers,” the outlet reported.
Donovan was a youth wrestling coach and referee in New Jersey before police arrested him.
The Asbury Park Press reported:
“Donovan was also the NJSIAA seventh-place finisher at 145 pounds in 2014, a three-time state qualifier, the NJSIAA Region VI champion in 2015 and a four-time NJSIAA District 23 champion during his scholastic career from 2011 to 2015.”
CBS News reported:
Prosecutors alleged that during the first four months of 2021, Donovan used a web-based messaging application to send three videos and receive two videos containing images of child sexual abuse involving pre-pubescent children.
They also alleged he used the application to request nude photographs from minors and send them nude images.
READ: Prominent LGBT Activist Arrested on Child Porn Charges
