Child Pornography charges against “Glee” actor Mark Salling to be Dropped following Suicide

Charges of child pornography made against “Glee” actor Mark Salling have been dropped following his suicide, BuzzFeed News reports.

Salling, who was arrested and had pleaded guilty to child pornography charges, was found dead in a riverbed near his home in Sunland, and his cause of death has been ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office.

The former Glee actor had a plea deal in place, and as part of the terms of the deal, he would have served between 4 to 7 years in prison, register as a sex offender, and banned from communication with minors.

Former prosecutor Manny Medrano who spoke to BuzzFeed News explained the situation, saying:

If that person dies accidentally or by suicide, the government can no longer proceed. Essentially, no defendant, no criminal prosecution.

Financial restitution will also be more difficult to seek for his victims, as his plea agreement has “no force and effect.”

Photo Credit: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for ESPN