Former Disney actor Matt Prokop charged with child pornography and aggravated assault

Former child actor Matt Prokop has been arrested in Texas on a series of serious charges, marking a grim new chapter in a story that has lingered at the edges of Hollywood for more than a decade. The thirty five year old actor, best known for appearing in High School Musical 3, was taken into custody on December twenty four and is currently being held at the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office Jail.

According to jail records confirmed by PEOPLE, Prokop faces multiple charges, including felony possession of child pornography and aggravated assault of a family member with a weapon. In addition to the felony counts, he has also been charged with several misdemeanours related to resisting arrest, evading detention and violating a protective order tied to a previous bond condition. At the time of reporting, it remains unclear when he will next appear in court.

The arrest has drawn renewed attention to Prokop’s past, particularly allegations made by actress Sarah Hyland during their former relationship. Hyland previously accused Prokop of verbal and physical abuse during their five year relationship, which ended in two thousand and fourteen. Court filings from that period alleged that he slammed her into a vehicle and choked her during an argument, claims that were widely reported at the time.

Later that same year, Hyland sought and was granted a restraining order after alleging that Prokop threatened her dog and her home following their breakup. Her Modern Family costar Julie Bowen was reported to have intervened to help Hyland safely exit the relationship. While Prokop largely disappeared from public view after those allegations, the new arrest has pushed his name back into headlines.

Online reaction was swift once news of the arrest broke. Social media users resurfaced old interviews and articles related to Hyland’s restraining order, with many expressing anger that Prokop had avoided public scrutiny for years. Others pointed to the broader issue of former child actors struggling after early fame, though the dominant response focused on accountability and the seriousness of the charges.

Hyland herself has rarely spoken publicly about the relationship in recent years, but reflected in a two thousand and twenty four interview, saying, “It’s something that kind of scars her soul a little bit.” Her words have been widely reshared following Prokop’s arrest, adding emotional weight to an already disturbing case.

As the legal process unfolds, the situation remains fluid.