Just days after
Cheer star Jeremiah “Jerry” Harris was
accused of soliciting sex from minors comes the news that the 21-year-old has been arrested and officially charged with producing child pornography.The Navarro College student, who shot to fame during the six-episode first season run of
Cheer on Netflix earlier this year, was charged in a Chicago federal court on September 17.
According to documents filed, Harris is accused of having “repeatedly enticed” a 13-year-old boy to send him sexual videos and photos, even though the “minor victim informed Harris during their initial online encounter that he was 13 years old.”Production of child pornography is punishable by a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, but Harris could face up to 30 years if convicted.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the arrest was indeed the result of the lawsuit filed earlier this week by the mother of twin boys who alleged several instances of sexual solicitation online and in-person. The publication also reports that the criminal complaint filed states that Harris admitted in a voluntary interview on September 14 that he did ask a 13-year-old to take graphic photos and send them to him via Snapchat.“Harris further admitted to engaging in ongoing Snapchat conversations with Minor 1 beginning in December 2018 and continuing through March 2020, during which time Harris repeatedly asked Minor 1 to send him photographs and videos depicting Minor 1’s penis and buttocks areas,” the report continues. “Harris acknowledged to law enforcement that he in fact received such photos and videos from Minor 1 through the Snapchat application.”The publication also notes that more charges could be coming, as investigators continue looking into the allegations. Meanwhile, Netflix has released a blanket statement to all publications with their take on the situation. “Like everyone we are shocked by this news. Any abuse of minors is a terrible crime and we respect the legal process,” the streaming service said.Harris'
Cheer coach Monica Aldama, who is currently participating on
Dancing With the Stars, also addressed the arrest on her Instagram page. "My heart is shattered into a million pieces,”
she wrote. “I am devastated by this shocking, unexpected news. Our children must be protected from abuse and exploitation, and I’m praying hard for the victims and everyone affected. Please respect our privacy as our family mourns during this heartbreaking time.”In a statement to
EW, a legal representative for the family said they are appreciative of how quickly officials moved on the case after they decided to speak out. “We are grateful that the U.S. Attorney and the FBI have taken swift action to protect children by investigating, arresting, and charging Jerry Harris,” reads the statement. “This was made possible because our clients’ mother had the courage to report Harris to the FBI as well as the Fort Worth Police Department and provided evidentiary proof of the manipulation, sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation that her sons had suffered. We urge the authorities to undertake a thorough investigation of the United States All-Star Federation, Varsity Spirit, and Cheer Athletics to determine which of their executives, employees, and representatives could have stopped Harris’ abuse and failed to do so.”At time of press Harris had not yet responded to the charges, however a representative told publications earlier this week that, “We categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris, which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager. We are confident that when the investigation is completed the true facts will be revealed.”[video_embed id='2035531']Related: Jerry Harris from 'Cheer' is under FBI investigation[/video_embed]
