Hearing for man on crimes against children postponed

Staff Report

SHARON, Pa.

The preliminary hearing for a Mercer County man charged with unlawful contact with minors, indecent exposure and corruption of minors was postponed Thursday after defense attorneys announced two more victims had come forth.

James Martin Kopan, 46, of Sharon is also the owner of Tornado Alley, a bowling alley in Coolspring Township. He was arrested March 2 for crimes in November involving four children ages 7, 9, 9 and 12.

Pennsylvania State Police said Kopan fondled those victims, showed them pornography and exposed himself to them.

He was arrested again a few weeks later for a separate incident involving another 12-year-old.

“We knew there were two others, but they wouldn’t come forward,” said Trooper Troy Owen.

Owen said the two new victims will be interviewed this weekend and have said they will issue statements, which mean additional counts for Kopan. who is being held in Mercer County Jail. Owen said Kopan will appear in court again next week for his hearing.