Former ‘Glee’ star, Mark Salling, has officially been indicted for possessing child pornography.
He was indicted on two counts of child porn, and charged with receiving and possessing child pornography on his laptop and a USB flash drive.
via Page Six:
“Those who download and possess child pornography create a market that causes more children to be harmed,” United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker said in a statement. “Young victims are harmed every time an image is generated, every time it is distributed, and every time it is viewed.”
The indictment specifically alleges that Salling received a photo and a video online depicting child pornography on Dec. 26, 2015. Salling was arrested on Dec. 29 after child porn was discovered at his Sunland, Calif., home.
“The traditional stereotype about the kinds of people who commit child sexual exploitation crimes simply doesn’t dovetail with reality. As our investigators can attest, the defendants in child pornography cases come in all ages and from all walks of life,” said Joseph Macias, Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Los Angeles in a statement. “While people are often surprised when high-profile individuals come under scrutiny in such investigations, we hope cases like this will raise awareness about law enforcement’s vigilance to combat the online sexual exploitation of children and hold those involved, regardless of their position, accountable for their actions.”
The laptop, a hard drive, and a USB flash drive seized from Salling’s residence at the end of 2015 contained thousands of images and videos depicting child pornography, according to investigators. Salling was released on 20,000 bail after being arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department and HSI on state charges. The case was referred to federal authorities once investigators realized the scope of the collection of child pornography.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, if you hurt a child you will be held accountable,” said Lt. Andrea Grossman, Commander of the LAPD Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. “These images are more than photographs, they are child abuse.”
If convicted of receiving child porn, Salling faces a minimum jail sentence of 5 years and a maximum one of 20 years. On the charge of possessing child porn, he could receive 20 years in prison.
Salling will surrender to federal authorities and be arraigned on June 3.
What a pervert.
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