Former Cheer Personality Jerry HarrisHis child pornography case led to his sentence.
Harris, 22 years old, appeared in court on Wednesday, 7/7 to confirm that a judge would sentence the Netflix personality to a 12-year sentence.
Us Weekly An FBI investigation led to the arrest of the Navarro College alumnus on charges of producing child pornography. He was also accused of soliciting sex from minors during cheerleading competitions.
Ahead of sentencing, Harris’ attorneys objected to the terms of their client’s potential supervised release in July 1 documents, including a “penile plethysmography” test that many sex offender treatment facilities often use. A second motion was filed July 5 to extend the time it took to determine the amount to be paid to his victims.
In February, the Illinois native pleaded guilty to the counts 3 and 7 of his indictment. He told the court that he had reached a plea agreement with the government. The government recommended a 50 year sentence.
Before changing his plea, Harris initially plead not guilty to seven felony charges, including four counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of enticement, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of travel with the intent to engage in an illicit sexual contact with a minor.
The former cheerleader, who rose to fame on season 1 of Netflix’s Cheer docuseries also strongly denied the allegations at his arrest.
“We categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris, which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager,” Harris’ spokesperson said in a statement to Use after his 2020 arrest. “We are confident that when the investigation is completed the true facts will be revealed.”
Harris was not on the show. Cheer season 2, many of its episodes — which premiered in January on the streaming platform — discussed the fallout from his case.
“I can’t even wrap my head around how I should feel. This has been a tough year,” Navarro head coach Monica Aldama said during the second season premiere. “But then there are moments that are so wonderful. These little moments of success are what keep me coming back. … I keep putting one foot in front of the other, every single day. I don’t have a choice.”
She continued at the time: “I was on the stage at Dancing With the Stars in dress rehearsal for our very first live show [when I found out]. … I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was already scared. I watched the show and then went back to my trailer. I didn’t even want to look at my phone because I was scared. I didn’t want to hear anymore because I was in such a vulnerable position at the time with what I was going through, and I just couldn’t take the weight of all it.”
