Mark Salling, an actor who played Noah Puckerman on the hit series “Glee,” will be hit with a federal indictment in the near future for possession of child pornography.
The 33-year-old was arrested last Dec. when the Los Angeles Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children unit went into his house with a search warrant after being alerted by a concerned citizen of Salling’s extensive collection. The U.S. attorney’s office confirmed the indictment to several news outlets including People and US Weekly. “Those who download and possess child pornography create a market that causes more children to be harmed,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker in a statement. “Young victims are harmed every time an image is generated, every time it is distributed, and every time it is viewed." Thousands of images were found on his laptop, hard drive and a USB flash drive and were confiscated from his Sunland, California home. He was later released on $20,000 bail, according to TMZ. If convicted, Salling could face a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years.
Salling also got into trouble with the law back in January 2013 when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend for sexual battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. The actor reportedly pushed her to the floor after forcing her to have unprotected sex with him. She dropped the battery claim after he agreed to pay her $2.7 million. A close friend of Salling told People that he was surprised by the recent arrest. “This isn’t the guy I know at all, he said. “I have to believe his computer was hacked.” Salling was cast in a film titled “Gods and Secrets” which is being directed by Adi Shankar. Shankar told US in December that he would cut him from the role if the child porn allegations stuck.
Source: usmagazine.com
