US agents have arrested Bryan McCarthy, of Deer Park, Texas, the operator of channelsurfing.net, and charged him with one count of criminal copyright infringement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claim McCarthy has made more than $90,000 from online advertising on the site.
His website illegally streams live sporting events, including those run by the NFL, NBA, NHL and WWE, as well as live TV channels.
McCarthy ran the website from December 2005 until last month, when it was seized.
If found guilty, he faces a maximum jail term of five years.