Former Disney actor Matt Prokop has been arrested in Texas on multiple charges, including possession of child pornography and aggravated assault, marking a dramatic fall for the former “High School Musical 3” star.
Prokop, 35, was taken into custody on Dec. 24 in Victoria County, Texas, according to officials at the Victoria County Jail, who confirmed the arrest to Fox News Digital.
Authorities said Prokop is facing a second-degree felony charge for possession of child pornography, one of the most serious allegations tied to his arrest.
In addition to the felony charge, Prokop faces four misdemeanor counts, including violation of a bond or protective order, evading arrest or detention, and two counts of resisting arrest, search, or transportation.
Jail records also show that Prokop has an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in a dating or family violence case.
The charges stem from incidents separate from one another, painting a picture of ongoing legal trouble for the former child actor.
Prokop rose to fame in the late 2000s after appearing in Disney’s “High School Musical 3” and later starring in the network’s TV movie Geek Charming.
His arrest has reignited public attention on past allegations involving his former relationship with actress Sarah Hyland.
Hyland, best known for her role on “Modern Family,” previously accused Prokop of verbal and physical abuse during their five-year relationship, which ended in 2014.
Court documents filed at the time alleged that Prokop slammed Hyland into a vehicle and choked her during an argument in May 2014.
Months later, Hyland claimed Prokop threatened to kill her dog and burn down her house after she attempted to leave the relationship, per Fox News.
Hyland’s “Modern Family” co-star Julie Bowen reportedly stepped in to help her safely exit the relationship in August 2014.
The following month, Hyland was granted a restraining order against Prokop, citing ongoing fear for her safety.
The two actors first met in 2008 during an audition for “High School Musical 3”, and later worked together again before becoming a high-profile Disney-era couple.
More than a decade after their split, Hyland has spoken publicly about the long-term effects of abuse.
In October 2024, she told Variety that trauma from abusive relationships often remains deeply ingrained, describing it as something that can scar “your soul.”
Hyland said painful memories do not simply disappear and explained why many survivors choose not to revisit those experiences publicly.
Prokop is currently being held at the Victoria County Jail as authorities continue processing the charges.
If convicted on the felony count, Prokop could face significant prison time under Texas law, adding another grim chapter to a once-promising acting career.
