SHAMED Cheer star Jerry Harris faces up to 50 years in jail after pleading guilty in a child pornography case. Prosecutors said the 22-year-old admitted to repeatedly asking boys for sexually explicit images between December 2018 and March 2020. Harris pleaded guilty to persuading a 17-year-old to send him sexually explicit photos for money. He […]
SHAMED Cheer star Jerry Harris faces up to 50 years in jail after pleading guilty in a child pornography case.
Prosecutors said the 22-year-old admitted to repeatedly asking boys for sexually explicit images between December 2018 and March 2020.
Harris pleaded guilty to persuading a 17-year-old to send him sexually explicit photos for money.
He was also charged relating to a trip that he took to Florida with the purpose of “engaging in illicit sexual conduct” with a 15-year-old, prosecutors said.
Harris pleaded guilty to two of the seven charges filed against him, the Associated Press reports.
His attorneys said he “wants to take responsibility for his actions” and convey his “remorse”.
Harris’ lawyers say he’s receiving mental health treatment while caged.
The shamed star’s sentence will be announced in a hearing on June 28.
The Cheer star could face a sentence between five and 20 years behind bars for the child pornography charge.
He could face up to 30 years in jail for the second count.
The boys claimed the abuse happened online and in person.
One of the boys alleged Jerry asked him to have sex at two different Varsity cheer competitions.
The alleged victims showed cops screenshots of social media messages with Harris as part of the investigations.
In a statement, the mom of the boys said: “In an effort to put a stop to a serial predator and avert harm to other children, my sons took the brave step of speaking publicly about the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Jerry Harris.
“Harris’ admission of guilt today gives me hope that the pain and grief that my sons have suffered as a result of speaking up has not been in vain.
“I will continue my mission to hold Jerry Harris and his enablers fully accountable both in the courts of law and the court of public opinion.”
Harris found fame in the 2020 Netflix show Cheer, which followed Texas Navarro College cheerleaders in their quest for a national title.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
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