Actor Joseph Gatt, who was arrested last week by the LAPD after allegedly engaging in sexually explicit online communication with a minor in another state, said the allegations against him “are 100% categorically wrong and reckless.”
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip that the “Dumbo” actor had engaged in online sexually explicit communication with a minor across state lines.
Detectives served Gatt, 50, with a search warrant at his Los Angeles home on April 6, and subsequently arrested him on a separate outstanding warrant for felony contact with a minor.
He was released the same day on $5,000 bail, but the department is “seeking to identify any additional victims” of the “Thor” actor that may be out there.
Gatt, who has a role in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s upcoming DC flick “Black Adam,” released a statement denying the accusations against him on Wednesday.
“I obviously want to address the absolutely horrifying and completely untrue allegations recently leveled against me,” he wrote on social media. “They are 100% categorically wrong and reckless.”
“I have confirmed errors and misleading information in today’s press release,” the statement continued. “I am fully cooperating with police and LAPD to get to the bottom of this. I look forward to clearing my good name.”
“Thank you to all of my friends and supporters who know that this is untrue and understand for legal reasons I cannot comment further on social media,” he added.
— Joseph Gatt (@MeetJoeGatt) April 13, 2022
Fan responses to Gatt’s statement were not particularly optimistic about his innocence.
“This had better not be Mark Sailing 2.0,” said one replier, in reference to the “Glee” star who committed suicide in 2018 after pleading guilty to charges of child pornography.
“Uh huh…hope for the children’s sake it’s disproven. Waiting…” Wrote another.
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