‘Rick and Morty’ Star and Co-Creator Justin Roiland Faces Domestic Violence Charges

Rick and Morty co-creator, animator and voice actor Justin Roiland faces felony domestic violence charges stemming from an incident in January, 2020 as reported by NBC News earlier today. 

The writer, cartoonist and comedian appeared in court this morning for a pre-trial hearing regarding a criminal complaint filed in May, 2020 which charges Roiland 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, which was filed by the Orange County District Attorney, states that the incident occurred on or around January 19, 2020 against an anonymous Jane Doe whom Roiland was dating at the time. Roiland was charged in May 2020, arrested and released on $50,000 bond that August then arraigned in October 2020. Roiland pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The anonymous Jane Doe is currently under a protective order filed in October 2020, which states that Roiland cannot be within 100 feet of the person and is not to harass, threaten or surveil them. Further details of the case, including police reports, body camera footage, abuse investigation reports and the affidavit in support of the arrest are currently sealed from the public. There is a plea offer available to Roiland, the details of which have not been disclosed. Roiland will attend another hearing on April 27, though no trial date is currently set.

Adult Swim and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, have not commented on the charges.