Jerry Harris, “Cheer” Star, sentenced to 12 years in prison for child pornography

Jerry Harris was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for a child pornography case.

According to legal documents obtained by ET, Judge Mannish S. Shah announced his decision in a court in Chicago on Wednesday. Once released, the “Cheer” star will be a supervised release for eight years. Documents show that Harris was ordered to pay a $ 5,200 fine. The prosecutor initially wanted to serve Harris for 15 years.

The judgment comes about five months after Harris received child pornography in a Chicago court and was convicted of traveling with the intention of engaging in illegal sexual activity.

At the time, Harris’s lawyer’s statement said he was responsible for his actions and “want to publicly convey his remorse for the harm done to the victims in this case.”

“Jerry is a 22-year-old adolescent, and the story can only be understood through the lens of extreme poverty, sexual abuse, and his childhood neglect,” the statement said. “The criminal activity in this case was also done in the context of the highly competitive cheer community, which is too common for improper sexual abuse and children of sexual abuse and is often overlooked. Being exploited, manipulated and sexually abused as a child within, made him believe that this sexual activity was somehow normal, though not normal. A safe port for discussing his exploitation. Instead, Jerry obscured his trauma and wore a bright face and a contagious smile that the world came to know. As we now know, Jerry is a year old. I made myself a criminal as a teenager above. “

According to the statement, Harris has been and has been treated for mental health since he was imprisoned.

“On guilty plea, Jerry will spend the rest of his life atonement for what he did,” the statement continues. “His hope is to be able to show to those affected by his actions that one day he will be able to regain his human value and make a truly significant contribution as he continues to grow up. is.”

Harris was arrested on suspicion of child pornography in September 2020 and has been detained ever since.

According to a criminal accusation received by ET at the time, Harris contacted a minor boy on social media and knew he was 13 years old, so he created and sent his sexually explicit videos and photos. I was tempted repeatedly. When the FBI raided Harris’s Naperville home on September 14, he learned in a voluntary interview that he was 13 and repeatedly asked the boy for lewd images and sex. Was admitted to the agent.

Season 2 of Netflix’s “Cheer” addressed the shocking fallout of Harris’s arrest after Harris became a fan favorite of the documentary series. In one episode, twin brothers Charlie and Sam talk about what they say happened between them and Harris. Charlie, an ambitious cheerleader, was 13 when he said he started communicating with Harris.

Details from ET:

“Cheer” star Jerry Harris pleads guilty to child pornography

Gabi Butler Responds to Jerry Harris’ Alleged Sexual Abuse

“Cheerleader”: Jerry Harris Accuser speaks in Season 2

“Cheer” Season 2 Trailer: Cast Responds to Jerry Harris’ Claims

“Cheer” star Jerry Harris facing a new crime in a child pornography case