Netflix's Cheer star Jerry Harris charged with producing child porn
The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct and child abuse allegations that some readers may find upsetting.
Jerry Harris — star of the hit Netflix documentary series Cheer — has been charged with producing child pornography.
The 21-year-old Texas native is set to appear in a Chicago courtroom on Thursday (September 17) to answer allegations that he solicited nude photos of a 13-year-old boy, reports The Chicago Tribune.
In a complaint filed in US federal court, 14-year-old twin brothers detailed their accusations that Harris harassed them online for sexual images when he was 19 and they were 13.
One brother also accused Harris of propositioning him for a sex act while they were competing at two separate cheerleading events. These brothers appear to be the same two people who filed a civil lawsuit against the reality star this week, accusing him of "sexual harassment, exploitation, manipulation, intimidation and sexual abuse".
In response to an FBI raid at Harris's home in Texas earlier this week, his spokesperson told the media: "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.”
Harris was one of the breakout stars of Netflix's Cheer, a six-part documentary series following the Navarro College Bulldogs Cheer Team as they trained for the National Cheerleading Championships.
In reaction to the success of the series, Harris was sent to the 2020 Academy Awards as an official red carpet correspondent of The Ellen DeGeneres Show to interview celebrities.
Digital Spy has reached out to Netflix to clarify where Harris's arrest will impact Cheer getting a second season.
Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 (www.nspcc.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline on (1-800-422-4453) or the American SPCC (www.americanspcc.org).
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct. If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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