Matt Procop (35), an actor from the Disney Channel, has been indicted on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography, and his ex-girlfriend has broken her silence, saying she "suffered years of abuse," adding to the shock.
The local outlet Daily Mail reported on the 11th (local time) that Procop's ex-girlfriend revealed in an interview with the outlet the violence she experienced and the psychological aftereffects from their past relationship. The ex-girlfriend said, "The effects of years of sustained abuse still deeply affect my life today," and added, "I am now quietly focusing on recovery with the help of family and close acquaintances."
She continued, "Taking time now does not lessen the seriousness of his actions or the harm caused," and emphasized, "As more facts come to light, I hope all victims are handled with dignity and care."
Procop was arrested in Texas on Dec. 24 last year, Christmas Eve. He had previously violated bail conditions in relation to other charges brought in 2024, and during the arrest was detained on charges of fleeing and obstructing official duties. On Dec. 31, a warrant issued by the court added a charge of "possession or distribution of child pornography." He is currently held without bail at the Victoria County Jail in Texas.
According to the report, the ex-girlfriend met Procop at a relatively young age through social media, but their romantic relationship began after they were adults, and the two became engaged in January 2024. However, in May of the same year, Procop was arrested once in Texas on charges of assaulting his girlfriend. Police at the time said, "The victim suffered injuries, including a strong blow to the head, making the arrest unavoidable."
Procop's violence controversy is not new. He dated fellow High School Musical 3 cast member Sarah Hyland from 2008 to 2014. In court documents submitted in 2014, Hyland claimed she "suffered verbal and physical abuse for years" and sought a restraining order, which was converted to a permanent order the same year.
Hyland testified in court at the time, "I was pushed into a car and choked, and I could not breathe; I feared for my life." She later said she ended the relationship with the help of people around her, and that even after the abuser completed rehabilitation, she was advised to take protective measures because of continued psychological instability.
Meanwhile, Matt Procop is a Disney star who gained recognition for films such as High School Musical 3 and Geek Charming. Procop's camp has not issued an official statement regarding the charges currently filed against him.
Investigators are combining the child pornography charges with the existing assault and fleeing charges to examine the circumstances of the case, and they have left open the possibility of additional charges.
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