The mugshot of former Disney actor Matt Prokop has been made public following his dramatic arrest on Christmas Eve and the subsequent addition of a shocking child pornography charge. The 35-year-old, best known for his role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, is now being held without bail in a Texas jail.
Details of the Arrest and Serious Charges
In the newly released booking photo obtained by the Daily Mail, Prokop is seen gazing at the camera, sporting a scruffy beard and a patterned sweater, while holding a Victoria County identification board. He was initially taken into custody for violating the bond conditions from a previous 2024 case, as well as for evading and resisting arrest. However, on December 31, a judge signed a warrant adding a severe new charge for 'possession or promotion of child pornography.' He remains in custody at the Victoria County jail in Texas.
Ex-Girlfriend Breaks Silence on Alleged Abuse
Prokop's former fiancée, whom he met on social media at a young age but began a romantic relationship with as an adult, has spoken out following his late December arrest. In a statement to the Daily Mail last week, she said, 'After many years of abuse, the effects are still very real and continue to impact my life.' She confirmed she is taking private time to heal with support from loved ones, emphasising that 'this time does not lessen the seriousness or harm of his actions.' The pair had become engaged in January 2024.
This is not Prokop's first encounter with the law in 2024. He was previously arrested in Texas in May after allegedly assaulting this same girlfriend during a weekend outing. Police reported that the woman sustained injuries serious enough to warrant arrest after Prokop allegedly pushed her and slammed her head into an object. He reportedly tried to flee from officers during that arrest.
A History of Abuse Allegations from High-Profile Ex
Prokop's history of alleged abuse extends further back. His ex-girlfriend and former Disney co-star, Sarah Hyland, now 35, filed a restraining order against him after their relationship ended in 2014. The actors met at an audition for High School Musical 3 and dated for several years.
In court documents, Hyland claimed Prokop was verbally and physically abusive for four years. She recounted a terrifying incident where he allegedly pinned her against a car and choked her. 'His grip was so tight that I could not breathe or speak,' Hyland stated. 'I was scared and in fear for my life.' She has said that her Modern Family on-screen mother, Julie Bowen, helped her end the relationship.
After Prokop entered rehab in August 2014, Hyland was warned about his mental state upon release and advised to seek a restraining order. A permanent order was granted in October 2014, requiring Prokop to stay at least 300 feet away from her and her dog.
In an October 2024 interview with Variety, Hyland, without naming Prokop, spoke about the lasting impact of domestic violence. She described how survivors can experience long-lasting PTSD and how certain triggers can resurface. 'I don't know if that part [of] any woman will ever be fully healed from that,' she admitted. 'It's something that kind of scars her soul a little bit.' She stressed the importance of community and conversation in supporting victims.
The Daily Mail contacted representatives for Matt Prokop regarding the latest allegations but did not receive an immediate response.
