By James Simons-
Justin Roiland,(pictured) the co-creator of TV programme Rick and Morty, is facing domestic violence charges stemming from an incident with a girlfriend in 2020.
Mr Roiland, 42, faces up to seven years in prison if found guilty.
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Details of the two-year-old case were first made public on Thursday, though the charging document that describes the alleged crimes remains sealed.
He pleaded not guilty to two charges in 2020, and on Thursday appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing.
Roiland, also the CEO of High on Life developer Squanch Games (and that game’s lead voice role) was charged with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and another felony count of false imprisonment via menace, violence, and/or fraud.
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The complaints were filed by an anonymous person who was dating Roiland at the time. Roiland was allegedly charged in 2020 and arrested late that year in August. He was later released on a $50,000 bond and plead not guilty to both charges.
He is prohibited from coming within 100 feet of the victim, and cannot harass, threaten, or surveil them. The protective order currently withholds details of the case from the public, including medical reports, interview recordings, and police reports..
Felony criminal charges were filed by the Orange County District Attorney in southern California in May 2020.
He is charged with domestic battery with corporal injury and false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit.
The incident allegedly occurred on or around 19 January 2020, according to documents obtained by NBC News. The accuser is an anonymous “Jane Doe” who police say “was in a dating relationship” with Mr Roiland at the time.
A police complaint says that Mr Roiland’s actions resulted “in a traumatic condition” for the woman.
The voice of the adult cartoon comedy’s titular characters was arrested and released on a $50,000 (£41,000) bond in August 2020. He formally pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2020.
A protective order filed against Mr Roiland ordered him to keep at least 100ft away from the accuser at all times, and to not harass, threaten or spy on her.
He was also ordered to turn over any firearms he possesses, so police can keep hold of them until at least October 2023.
At a court hearing for Mr Roiland on Thursday, his lawyer told the judge that a plea deal was available to his client, but provided no further details.
Another hearing is scheduled for 27 April. Mr Roiland will be required to attend.
Rick and Morty, which first aired in 2013, is an anarchic animated sitcom that follows the adventures of a mad scientist and his grandson.
The show has been a big hit on Adult Swim, Cartoon Network’s night-time haven for alternative and adult-oriented animation.
The sixth season of the programme aired in September 2022, and another 70 new episodes have already been ordered.
Warner Bros Discovery, which owns Cartoon Network, has yet to comment on the charges.
Representatives of Roiland were contacted for comment.
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