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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Clarisse Loughrey

Disney Channel star arrested for allegedly trying to solicit a minor

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for GLAAD

A Disney Channel actor has been arrested for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor. 

Stoney Westmoreland, 48, was arrested on Friday, according to Salt Lake City’s ABC 4 News, for allegedly asking a 13-year-old he met via an online dating app to send nude photographs and engage in sexual acts. 

He was fired from the Disney Channel sitcom he appeared on, Andi Mack, hours later, a spokesperson for the network said in a statement. 

According to investigators, Westmoreland allegedly sent four pornographic photos and asked for nude photos in return, while taking a ride share service to a Salt Lake City address with the intention of bringing the individual to his hotel room "in order to engage in sexual activity". 

He was taken into custody by Salt Lake City police and the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. He faces one count of enticing a minor, as well as four counts of dealing materials harmful to a minor.

Alongside his role on Andi Mack, Westmoreland appeared on several television shows, including Scandal, Better Call Saul, NCIS, and Breaking Bad.

"Stoney Westmoreland, an actor working on the series Andi Mack, was arrested in Salt Lake City today," a spokesperson for Disney Channel told The Hollywood Reporter. "Given the nature of the charges and our responsibility for the welfare of employed minors, we have released him from his recurring role and he will not be returning to work on the series which wraps production on its third season next week." 

A representative for Westmoreland has been contacted for comment. 

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