Former Disney child star Matt Prokop, best known for his role in High School Musical 3, has been arrested in Texas on serious criminal charges, including possession of child pornography.
Christmas Eve Arrest in Texas
The 35-year-old actor was reportedly taken into custody on 24 December, just before Christmas. According to reports, Prokop faces a second-degree felony charge for possession of child pornography alongside four misdemeanour counts. He was also charged with aggravated assault of a family member involving a weapon.
It remains unclear when the actor will make his first court appearance to answer these charges. The arrest marks a dramatic fall from grace for the performer who once featured in popular family-friendly Disney franchises.
History of Abuse Allegations from Ex-Girlfriend
This arrest follows years of disturbing allegations from Prokop's ex-girlfriend, actress Sarah Hyland. The pair dated for five years after meeting on the set of the 2011 film Geek Charming.
Hyland, who starred in Modern Family, previously obtained a restraining order against Prokop. In court documents, she accused him of verbal and physical abuse, alleging he once slammed her into a vehicle and choked her during an argument. "His grip was so tight that I could not breathe or speak. I was scared and in fear for my life," Hyland stated in the filings.
She claimed her Modern Family co-star Julie Bowen intervened to help her end the relationship. According to the restraining order filing, Prokop then allegedly threatened to kill Hyland's dog and burn down her house.
A Call to Speak Out Against Abuse
In a 2024 interview with Variety, Sarah Hyland spoke about the importance of victims sharing their stories. "For thousands of years now, we didn’t talk about it. The community hasn’t shared enough, I believe," she said.
Hyland explained that open discussion can help isolate the tactics of abusers and empower others to seek help. "It’s almost like you don’t wanna talk about it anymore," she added, acknowledging the complex emotions survivors face. "You want it to be done, and that’s that. I completely understand the dissociation pattern of it."
Beyond High School Musical 3, Matt Prokop's acting credits include guest roles in series like Hannah Montana, The Office, Good Luck Charlie, and Modern Family.
Where to get help: If you are affected by domestic abuse, confidential support is available 24/7 from the National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or via womensaid.co.uk. The Samaritans can also be contacted free on 116 123.
