Former Mercer Co. bowling alley owner pleads in minors case

MERCER, Pa. — The former owner of a Coolspring Township bowling alley has pleaded no contest to five counts of corruption of minors after authorities agreed to drop other charges relating to allegedly inappropriate contact with young boys who spent the night at his business.

The Sharon Herald reports that 47-year-old James Kopan pleaded no contest Tuesday and will return for sentencing April 27 before a Mercer County Common Pleas Court judge.

Prosecutors alleged Kopan had lewd and sexually inappropriate conduct — including showing the boys pornography and having them slide naked down oiled tarps — when the boys spent nights at his Tornado Alley Bowling Alley between 2008 and 2010.

Other related charges were withdrawn before the no-contest plea, which means Kopan doesn’t admit to wrongdoing but has agreed to a conviction nonetheless.