Matt Prokop is a former Disney Channel actor and Sarah Hyland’s ex-boyfriend. Hyland, who played Haley Dunphy on Modern Family, dated Prokop for roughly four years before obtaining a restraining order against him in 2014 over allegations of physical and verbal abuse. More than a decade later, Prokop is facing felony charges in Texas, including possession of child pornography and violation of a protective order tied to a different woman.
Who Matt Prokop Is
Prokop, 35, is best known for playing Jimmie Zara in High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008). He also appeared in Furry Vengeance (2010) and the Disney Channel movie Geek Charming (2011), where he met Hyland, plus guest spots on Hannah Montana, The Office, and Modern Family. His last screen credit was the 2013 film April Apocalypse.1Entertainment Weekly. High School Musical Star Matt Prokop Arrested, Charged With Child Pornography
The Abuse Allegations and 2014 Restraining Order
In court filings, Hyland alleged that Prokop subjected her to sustained physical and verbal abuse during their roughly four-year relationship. The most detailed allegation involved an argument in May 2014 in which Prokop allegedly pinned her against a car and choked her. “His grip was so tight that I could not breathe or speak. I was scared and in fear for my life,” Hyland wrote in the filing.2NBC Miami. Sarah Hyland Gets Restraining Order Against Ex-Boyfriend Matthew Prokop
In a 2024 interview with Variety, Hyland said Prokop used her dog, Barkley, as a “manipulation” tactic, saying the animal’s life was “put on the line” to hurt her. She described isolation from friends and family as a central strategy of the abuse.3Variety. Sarah Hyland Domestic Violence Power of Women
After the breakup, according to Hyland’s filings, Prokop “relentlessly bombarded” her with threatening texts and voicemails, including suicide threats and threats that she would never see her dog again.4ABC7 New York. Sarah Hyland Gets Restraining Order Against Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Prokop entered a rehabilitation facility and left on September 21, 2014; a facility official reportedly recommended Hyland seek a restraining order.
Hyland obtained a Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Order in Los Angeles on September 19, 2014.5Los Angeles Times. Sarah Hyland Restraining Order Matt Prokop On October 7, 2014, a judge granted a permanent restraining order to be enforced for three years. It required Prokop to stay at least 100 yards from Hyland, her home, and her workplace, prohibited him from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition, and explicitly protected her dog, Barkley Bixby, by name.6E! Online. Judge Grants Sarah Hyland Permanent Restraining Order Against Ex-Boyfriend Matthew Prokop
How Hyland Got Out
In August 2014, Hyland turned to her Modern Family co-star Julie Bowen for help ending the relationship. People reported that Bowen was “the first person she called.”7People. Julie Bowen Recalls Supporting Modern Family Daughter Sarah Hyland During Abusive Relationship Bowen later described her role modestly as “a responsible adult that happened to be around at the right time.”
Texas Arrests and 2026 Child Pornography Indictment
Prokop’s legal troubles continued well after the 2014 order. In May 2024, he was arrested in Victoria County, Texas, and charged with aggravated assault of a family or household member with a weapon and resisting arrest. According to a later indictment, the alleged victim, identified in court records as “Lucy,” was shoved and had her head slammed into an object. A protective order was granted in her favor.8Victoria Advocate. Actor and Disney Star Matthew Ray Prokop Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge in Victoria
On December 24, 2025, Victoria County sheriff’s deputies arrested Prokop again. He was booked into the Victoria County Jail on a $117,500 bond.9NBC Boston. Sarah Hyland’s Ex Matt Prokop Arrested on Child Porn Charge The charges included one count of possession of child pornography, one count of violation of bond or protective order, one count of evading arrest or detention, and two counts of resisting arrest.10People. Former Child Actor Matt Prokop Arrested on Charges of Child Pornography, Aggravated Assault, and Violation of Bond
The protective-order violations tied back to the 2024 case. According to the indictment, Prokop told Lucy in person on December 21, 2025, that “he was going to kill her.” Three days later, he allegedly sent her sexually explicit photographs, pictures of the hotel where she was staying, and a barrage of texts and calls after she asked him to stop.11AOL. Disney Alum Matthew Prokop Indicted
On March 19, 2026, a Victoria County grand jury indicted Prokop on two felony counts: one first-degree felony count of possession of child pornography involving 50 or more visual depictions, and one third-degree felony count of violating a bond or protective order two or more times within the preceding 12 months. The child pornography charge was elevated from the second-degree felony filed at arrest. Prokop pleaded not guilty on March 24, 2026.11AOL. Disney Alum Matthew Prokop Indicted He remained in custody at the Victoria County Jail as of early 2026 reporting.12KBTX. High School Musical 3 Actor Matt Prokop Arrested on Child Pornography Charges The 2025–2026 Texas charges do not involve Hyland.
Where Hyland Is Now
Hyland married television personality Wells Adams on August 20, 2022.13People. Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams Celebrate Three Years of Marriage A decade after the restraining order, she began speaking publicly about the abuse and about a gap she identified in the shelter system: fewer than 20% of U.S. domestic violence shelters accept pets. She has partnered with Purina’s Purple Leash Project, launched in 2019 with the nonprofit RedRover, which has provided more than 55 grants to help shelters become pet-friendly.14Purina Newsroom. Purina Partners With Sarah Hyland to Launch Limited Edition Collection On October 24, 2024, Hyland received the inaugural Variety Courage Award, presented by Julie Bowen at the Variety Power of Women gala, and told the audience that “survivors deserve more.”15ABC News. Sarah Hyland Opens Up as Survivor of Domestic Abuse