JERRY Harris from Netflix’s Cheer made headlines in September 2020 after he was arrested.

The star was "allegedly enticing an underage boy to produce sexually explicit videos and photos of himself," and made headlines in January 2022, following the release of Cheer season 2.

Who is Jerry Harris? 

Born July 14, 1999, Jerry Harris, 22, is known as an American cheerleader and television personality.

After appearing on the Emmy Award-winning show Cheer, he shot to fame for his encouraging speeches to his teammates.

Harris also interviewed celebrities on the 2020 Oscars red carpet as Ellen DeGeneres's corespondent.

In June 2020, Harris spoke to Vanity Fair about his sudden fame. He said: “The newfound fame won’t change who I am because just as quick as it came, it can get taken away."

He added: “We never had the most money and I lost my mom at 16, but cheer has become my family,”

"It has made me the person I am today.”

Why was he arrested? 

Harris was arrested in Chicago and charged with the “production of child pornography.” 

He was also “allegedly enticing an underage boy to produce sexually explicit videos and photos of himself."

A rep for Jerry shared a statement which said: "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."

A criminal complaint filed in US District Court in Chicago alleges that the 22-year-old "contacted the underage boy on a social media application and repeatedly enticed him to produce sexually explicit videos and photographs of himself and send them to Harris."

He has since pled not guilty and is being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago awaiting trial.

What else is Jerry accused of?

In court documents released, Jerry is also accused of soliciting a minor for oral sex.

Teenage twin brothers have accused Jerry of begging them for sex and inappropriate touching.

Sam and Charlie, two 14-year-old boys from Texas, alleged that the abuse began when they were 13 and Jerry was 19.

They also claimed that the abuse happened online and in person, with Charlie alleging Jerry asked him to have sex at two different Varsity cheer competitions.

In that first conversation, Jerry reportedly asked Charlie how old he was and then asked the teen to send photos of his face and butt.

Court documents reveal communication including a Snapchat message showing what appears to be Jerry's face and the message: "Would you ever want to ****."

In another, Jerry has replied to a video of Charlie stretching his leg, writing: "Do it naked and take a video and show me."

Law enforcement agents spent time in Jerry's home in Naperville, Illinois attempting to interview him and gather information.

During the interview, law enforcement say that Harris admitted to soliciting oral sex from a minor, soliciting and receiving child pornography on Snapchat from at least between 10 to 15 other individuals he knew were also minors, and for using the four **** symbols to mean the word “f***.”

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How did Cheer season 2 handle Jerry's allegations?

Season 2 of Cheer debuted on January 12, 2022, and did not shy away from Jerry's allegations.

Not only does season 2 address Jerry's allegations, but it also includes personal accounts from Charlie and Sam.

“After me and Sam spoke out, pretty much all sense of community was ripped away from me and Sam,” Charlie said in the documentary, via Time. “It was just terrible.”

The episode, titled Jerry, also includes his teammate's reactions as well as background information from USA Today's Marisa Kwiatkowski and Tricia L. Nadolny, who first broke the story back in 2020.

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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