Actor named in federal indictment alleging receipt and possession of child pornography on his computer and flash drive

LOS ANGELES – Actor Mark Wayne Salling, best known for his role as Noah Puckerman on the television show “Glee,” was charged Friday in a federal indictment with receiving and possessing child pornography on his laptop computer and a flash memory drive.

Salling, 33, of Shadow Hills, was named in a two-count indictment returned Friday afternoon by a federal grand jury. The charges are the result of a probe by the Los Angeles Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as part of the Internet Child Exploitation Investigations Group, a multi-agency task force that combats all forms of child exploitation. The Beverly Hills Police Department also provided substantial assistance with the case.

“Those who download and possess child pornography create a market that causes more children to be harmed,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “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 used the Internet to receive a still image and a video depicting child pornography on Dec. 26, 2015. The images depict young girls. The second count in the indictment charges Salling with possessing two videos depicting child pornography on Dec. 29, 2015. The videos also depict young girls.

“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 of HSI Los Angeles. “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, who are continuing to review the material. Salling was initially arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department and HSI on state charges, and released on bond. Once investigators realized the scope of the collection of child pornography, the matter was referred to federal authorities for further action, which resulted in Friday’s indictment.

“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.”

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Through his attorney, Salling has agreed to surrender to federal authorities June 3, when he is expected to be arraigned on the charges in the indictment.

The charge of receiving child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years. The charge of possessing child pornography also carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.