Actor Mark Salling, who played Noah “Puck” Puckerman on the TV series Glee, has been arrested on child pornography possession charges. (Getty)
The actor who played Noah “Puck” Puckerman on the hit FOX TV series Glee has been arrested in Los Angeles on child pornography possession charges, Crime Watch Daily reports.
Mark Salling, 33, was arrested Tuesday, police told the crime news show.
Police found images of children “significantly younger than 15 and 16,” according to TMZ.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The LAPD’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Searched His Home
Salling in June 2015. (Getty)
Crime Watch Daily reports that the Los Angeles Police Departments Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Unit served a search warrant at Mark Salling’s home early Tuesday morning.
Police later confirmed to the crime show that Salling was taken into custody following the raid and charged with possession of child pornography.
Salling’s representatives have not yet commented on the report.
2. Police Reportedly Found Images of ‘Child Exploitation’ After a Tip From Salling’s Ex-Girlfriend
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TMZ reports that police found more than a thousand of images of “child exploitation” on Salling’s computer.
Investigators seized other electronic devices, including phones and tablets, according to TMZ.
Detectives began investigating Salling after receiving a tip from an unnamed ex-girlfriend, police told the gossip website.
3. He Was Accused of Sexual Battery in a 2013 Lawsuit
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Salling was accused in a 2013 lawsuit of sexual battery by his former girlfriend, Roxanne Gorzela. According to E! News, the actor settled the lawsuit and was ordered by a judge to pay $2.7 million to Gorzela.
She said in the lawsuit that Salling forced her to have unprotected sex in March 2011, despite her demands he wear a condom. She said the incident caused her to become overwhelmed by anxiety, worrying she had contracted a sexually transmitted disease.
Gorzela also claimed she confronted Salling at his home, and he grabbed her and pushed her down, causing her to hit her head.
Salling initially denied the allegations and sought to countersue, before settling the case.
“You kind of have to learn as you go…You just have to stay positive, and I personally have a relationship with Jesus Christ and I count on that myself. And my parents are awesome, too,” he told E! News after the lawsuit was filed.
It is not known if Gorzela was the ex-girlfriend who reported Salling to police. He was linked to 21-year-old Disney star Denyse Trotz in 2014, but it’s not clear how long they dated.
4. He Played Puck on Glee for 5 Seasons
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Salling is best known for playing Noah “Puck” Puckerman on the FOX show Glee. He had a starring role for four seasons and then made guest appearances during the fifth season.
His first acting role was in Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering in 1996. He has also acted in The Graveyard and Rocky Road. In 2008, he was cast as a regular on Glee.
Salling is also a musician. He released his first CD, Smoke Signals, in 2008.
In 2010, he released his second album on his own label, Pipe Dream Records, called Pipe Dreams.
5. He Was Born in Texas & Was Raised in a ‘Strict Christian Home’
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Salling was born in Dallas, Texas, and was raised in a “strict Christian home,” according to his IMDB biography.
He was home schooled at an early age, before attending Christian schools. He went to Culver Military Academy, and later graduated from Lake Highlands High School. He went to the Los Angeles Music Academy College in Pasadena after high school.
