MERCER (KDKA) — The owner of a local bowling alley is facing charges for allegedly assaulting several children at his Mercer County business.

State police have charged James Kopan, 46, of Sharon, with dozens of counts including indecent assault, unlawful contact with minors, corruption of minors, indecent exposure and open lewdness. He was arrested on Wednesday.

According to investigators, four boys told their parents Kopan allegedly assaulted them during a sleep over at his bowling alley back in November.

Authorities say Kopan is accused of exposing himself to and fondling the four children, ranging in age from 7- to 12-years-old. Kopan also allegedly showed the children pornographic images on a computer at his business.

The assaults allegedly happened at the Tornado Alley bowling Center in Coolspring in November.

Kopan’s mother says she doesn’t believe in her heart that her son could be involved in behavior like this. She made the comments while taking money to her son in the Mercer County Jail.

She says her son was more a coach, teaching young boys how to bowl and play baseball in the community for years.

State police say this isn’t the only sleep over that has happened at the Tornado Alley lanes, and they’re asking any one who may have been involved in one of the outings to contact troopers at the Mercer County Barracks.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 724-662-6162.

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