ACTOR Mark Salling was charged Friday with receiving and possessing child pornography, following an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    Investigators seized a laptop, hard drive and USB flash drive from Salling’s home following his arrest Dec. 29. Investigators claim they contained thousands of pictures and videos depicting child pornography.

    The indictment claims Salling had at least one photo and video of “a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.” The title of one of the videos suggests the child was 5 years old.

    Although the fact had not yet been publicized, Lt. Andrea Grossman, commander of the LAPD Internet Crimes Against Children task force, told The Hollywood Reporter in an email Thursday that the case had been transferred to federal authorities.

    U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker’s office issued a press release Friday. “Those who download and possess child pornography create a market that causes more children to be harmed,” Decker said.

    If convicted, Salling faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison for the charge of receiving child pornography. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years.

    Salling is expected to surrender to federal authorities and be arraigned June 3.

    (SD-Agencies)