Brick Youth Wrestling Coach Charged With Child Porn Distribution

BRICK, NJ — A youth wrestling coach and former high school wrestling champion from Brick has been arrested on child pornography charges, the U.S. Attorney's office announced Wednesday.

Alec Donovan, 24, of Brick, has been charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. He was arrested Wednesday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor, then was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond, Honig's office said.

Authorities say Donovan, who was a state champion wrestler at Brick Memorial, sent three videos showing child sexual abuse using a messaging application. The video shares happened from January 2021 through March 2021, and he received two videos through the application. The videos showed sexual acts involving prepubescent children, Honig's office said.

Authorities also allege Donovan used the web-based messaging application to solicit and engage in conversations with minors, and requested nude photos from the minors and sent nude photos to them.

The complaint does not specify which app was used to share the videos.

Messages left for Donovan's attorney, Nikole Pezzullo of Freehold Township, were not returned as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The complaint did not specify where Donovan, who also is a referee, has been a youth coach.

The Brick Township School District issued a statement Wednesday evening that said Donovan is not involved with the school district's wrestling teams.

Brick Township business administrator Joanne Bergin said Donovan is not employed by the township recreation department's wrestling program.

Donovan won the NJSIAA 145-pound championship in 2015 as part of the Brick Memorial High School wrestling team and went on to wrestle at Centenary University, where he qualified for the NCAA national championships as a junior.

The charge of receipt and distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

The FBI’s Newark Field Office is asking anyone with information related to this case or who may be a victim to contact them at NK-Victim-Assistance@FBI.gov.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation.

Note: This article has been updated with comments from the Brick Township School District and Brick Township officials.

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