Miniseries boots Mark Salling after child porn charges
Disgraced "Glee" star Mark Salling is getting the boot from miniseries "Adi Shankar's Gods and Secrets."
The actor was was indicted Friday on two charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, according to documents released by the U.S. Attorney's office.
Adi Shankar, writer-director of the project, condemned the victimization of women and children in a statement Tuesday when he announced that he was dismissing Salling from the superhero miniseries, which stars Kellan Lutz, Denise Richards, Jane Seymour and more.
"The innocence of our planet's children is something that must be protected at all costs," he said. "As entertainers, our role is to be the "conscience of humanity," striving to make the world better for future generations."
He added that he will pay for the necessary reshoots and that a percentage of profits from the series will go to "a charity for abused children."
Friday's indictment mentioned two specific incidents, both in December 2015, during which Salling received and possessed a still image and videos depicting pornography, with at least one video involving a girl under the age of 12. The files were found on Salling's laptop and on a flash drive. He was arrested on Dec. 29.
If convicted, Salling faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison for one charge, while both carry a maximum of 20 years. The actor said he will surrender himself to authorities on June 3.
