'Free Willy' star arrested on domestic violence charges - AOL

Jason James Richter, best known for his role as Jesse in Free Willy, was arrested on domestic charges in Los Angeles on Monday.

The former child actor, now 38, was arrested at 11:45 p.m. local time and booked in to jail in Van Nuys, California, at 1:12 a.m. for a misdemeanor, the LAPD confirms to ET. Richter spent two nights in jail, the LAPD says, and was released Wednesday on a $20,000 bail.

According to TMZ, Richter had an argument with his girlfriend around 7 p.m. at their home, and things escalated quickly after he asked her about a co-worker and whether they were having an affair. Following the alleged incident, Richter's girlfriend showed up at the police station and filed a report, claiming domestic violence, the outlet reports.

ET has reached out to Richter's rep for comment.

Richter played Jesse, a foster child who befriends a captive orca, in 1993's Free Willy, as well as its sequels, Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home and Free Willy 3: The Rescue. The original film celebrated its 25th anniversary in April.

Since then, Richter has landed a number of small screen projects, appearing in shows like Bones, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Criminal Minds.

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'Free Willy' star Jason James Richter through the years

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Jason James Richter in the water in a scene from the film 'Free Willy', 1993. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)

Jason James Richter holding whale piece in a scene from the film 'Free Willy', 1993. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)

Jason James Richter looking through window in a scene from the film 'Free Willy', 1993. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - MARCH 18: Jason James Richter (Photo by The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

Jason James Richter during Jason James Richter appears on the 'CBS Morning Show' - April 11, 1995 at Jason James Richter appears on the 'CBS Morning Show', NYC in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Derek Storm/FilmMagic)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 17: Actor Jason James Richter attends the 'Free Willy' 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Egyptian Theatre on August 17, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 17: (L-R) Actors Michael Madsen, Jason James Richter and Jayne Atkinson attend the 'Free Willy' 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Egyptian Theatre on August 17, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 17: Actors Jason James Richter (L) and Jayne Atkinson attend the 'Free Willy' 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Egyptian Theatre on August 17, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

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