Brandon Novak, a professional bowler, has found himself in the midst of a scandal after being arrested by U.S. Marshalls during a tournament. The 35-year-old athlete is facing serious charges related to child pornography, including 10 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and five counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.
Novak was arrested in the middle of a frame during the 2024 US Open at Royal Pin Woodland in Indianapolis. While he was not seen on camera, footage from the broadcast captured the arrest taking place, with several other bowlers looking on in shock.
According to reports, Novak was extradited from Indiana to his native Ohio, where he is currently facing 15 felony charges. The professional bowler’s troubles began when Chillicothe (Ohio) Police received a tip in February of last year linking Novak’s Facebook profile to child sexual abuse. During interviews with authorities, Novak initially claimed that he unknowingly purchased pornography containing child exploitation but later admitted to knowingly buying and attempting to conceal child pornography.
As Novak navigates the legal system, he is set to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing on Mar. 2. The athlete, who has been a professional bowler for over a decade, has enjoyed success in his career, with two tournament wins to his name. Despite the ongoing legal issues, Novak managed to finish 36th in the U.S. Open, earning $1,500 in winnings.
The shocking nature of Novak’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the bowling community and beyond. As the case unfolds, many are left to wonder about the future of the once-promising athlete and the impact his legal troubles will have on his career and reputation.
