Justin Roiland, the star and the co-creator of the animated comedy series “Rick and Morty,” has been charged with felony domestic violence in Orange County, California according to a criminal complaint filed in May 2020 by the Orange County District Attorney. He appeared in court on Thursday for a pre-trial hearing.
Roiland pleaded not guilty in 2020. In a statement, one of Roiland's attorneys wrote that his client is innocent and he expects the case will be dismissed.
"We look forward to clearing Justin's name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible," attorney T. Edward Welbourn wrote.
The criminal complaint in the case charges Roiland, 42, with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit.
The complaint states the incident occurred on or around January the 19th, 2020, against an anonymous individual who was dating Roiland at the time.
According to Orange County Superior Court records, Roiland pleaded not guilty to both charges in October 2020. Since then, the case has been the subject of more than a dozen court hearings, including pre-trial hearings. A trial date is not currently set.
Many court records remained sealed but the available public documents say Roiland was charged in May 2020. Roiland was arrested and released on a $50,000 bond in August 2020 and arraigned in October 2020.
A protective order filed in October 2020 and documented in the court minutes said Roiland is not to harass, threaten or surveil the person named in the protective order, who is currently unknown. Roiland cannot go within 100 feet of the person, according to the order, which also ordered Roiland to turn in any firearms he owned or possessed. The order lasts until October 2023, and it’s not known who submitted the request for the order.