Mark Salling -- $100k Check Likely Keeps Him Free in Child Porn Case (PHOTO)

Mark Salling got a big fat check from his bank Thursday ... payable to the clerk of the court where he is on trial for possession of child porn.

The former "Glee" star clutched a cashier's check for $100,000, made payable to the Clerk of the US District Court.

Although it's possible the check is a fine connected to a plea bargain, the more likely scenario is that it's the bail he's required to post when he appears Friday in court for his first hearing.