The star and creator of the Cartoon Network’s animated adult sitcom “Rick and Morty” is being brought up on sexual assault charges.
Justin Roiland, 42, who co-created the show and voices its eponymous characters Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith, was charged with felony domestic violence charges in connection with a 2020 incident in California’s Orange County, according to an NBC News report.
The Emmy winner reportedly appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing Thursday in connection with the charges of domestic battery with corporal injury and false imprisonment.
Roiland had originally pleaded not guilty to the unspecified accusation, by a woman who he was dating at the time, the network said.
Roiland had reportedly been released on a $50,000 bond in August 2020 and arraigned in October 2020, the same month a protective order was filed.
The case had been litigated by more than a dozen hearings since then, but many of the details of the case were sealed under the protective order, according to the outlet.
It was unclear who had filed the order, and neither Roiland nor his lawyer had returned a request for comment from the network.
“Rick and Morty,” a sci-fi-themed show that is a hit with viewers and critics alike, debuted in 2013, and its sixth season aired last year.
Roiland has also launched the Hulu programs “Solar Opposites” and “Koala Man” in addition to releasing the video game “High on Life” and selling NFT collections and traditional art.
