Jerry Harris (cheerleader)
{{short description|American cheerleader (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jerry Harris
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Jeremiah Harris
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|7|14}}
| birth_place = Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S.
| criminal_penalty = 12 years imprisonment
| criminal status = Incarcerated
| criminal_charges = Enticing a child, producing child pornography (2022)
| alma_mater = Navarro College
| years_active = 2020{{endash}}2022
}}
Jeremiah Harris (born July 14, 1999) is a former collegiate cheerleader who received national recognition after appearing in the 2020 Netflix docuseries Cheer.{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Julia |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Jerry Harris Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes Involving Minors |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/arts/television/jerry-harris-pleads-guilty.html |access-date=March 28, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}} In September and December 2020, he was charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with production of child pornography and other child-related sex crimes: "sexual exploitation of children, receiving child pornography, traveling with the attempt to engage in sexual conduct with a minor, and enticement", among other charges.{{Cite web |last=Kranc |first=Lauren |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Here's Where the Case Against Jerry Harris from 'Cheer' Stands Now |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a38748855/jerry-harris-cheer-sexual-abuse-case-now/ |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=Esquire}} On February 10, 2022, Harris pled guilty as charged to two of the seven indictments against him.{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=February 10, 2022 |title='Cheer' Star Jerry Harris Pleads Guilty in Child Pornography Case |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/jerry-harris-cheer-guilty-plea-child-pornography-1235177878/ |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=Variety}} On July 6, 2022, Harris was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and 8 years of court supervised probation to commence after his release from prison.{{Cite web |author=Sonia Moghe and Raja Razek |title='Cheer' star Jerry Harris sentenced to 12 years in prison in child pornography case |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/06/entertainment/cheer-jerry-harris/index.html |access-date=July 7, 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=July 6, 2022}}
Early life and education
Harris was born in Hinsdale, Illinois and raised in Bolingbrook, Illinois.{{Cite web |last=Swartz |first=Jason Meisner, Tracy |title=Jerry Harris, star of Netflix show 'Cheer,' charged with producing child pornography after raid on Naperville home |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-jerry-harris-cheer-child-pornography-charges-chicago-20200917-dddpvpsk7ra2hb72c67b47j6uq-story.html |access-date=September 17, 2020 |website=Chicago Tribune |date=September 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210408/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-jerry-harris-cheer-child-pornography-charges-chicago-20200917-dddpvpsk7ra2hb72c67b47j6uq-story.html |url-status=live}} When he was 16 years old, his mother died from lung cancer.{{Cite web |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a30583453/cheer-netflix-cast/ |title=The Cast of Netflix's 'Cheer' Is Just as Inspiring on Instagram as They Are on the Show |last=Bergamotto |first=Lori |date=January 25, 2020 |website=Good Housekeeping |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210411/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a30583453/cheer-netflix-cast/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/what-is-jerry-harris-doing-after-cheer-fans-cant-get-enough-of-him-21097449 |title=Here's What Fan-Favorite & Precious Human Jerry Is Doing After 'Cheer' |website=Elite Daily |date=January 17, 2020 |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210418/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/what-is-jerry-harris-doing-after-cheer-fans-cant-get-enough-of-him-21097449 |url-status=live}} He attended Waubonsie Valley High School{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-jerry-harris-cheer-child-pornography-charges-chicago-20200917-dddpvpsk7ra2hb72c67b47j6uq-story.html |title=Jerry Harris, star of Netflix show 'Cheer,' appears in federal court in Chicago on charges of producing child pornography |website=Chicago Tribune |date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210440/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-jerry-harris-cheer-child-pornography-charges-chicago-20200917-dddpvpsk7ra2hb72c67b47j6uq-story.html |url-status=live}} followed by Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, where he was a member of the cheerleader team coached by Monica Aldama.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/netflix-s-cheer-exactly-kind-show-america-needs-right-now-ncna1118686 |title=Opinion {{!}} I cried watching a Netflix docuseries about cheerleading — and I'm not alone |publisher=NBC News |date=January 20, 2020 |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210450/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/netflix-s-cheer-exactly-kind-show-america-needs-right-now-ncna1118686 |url-status=live}} During the season one finale of Cheer, he received a Regional Scholars Award from the University of Louisville. He attended the school for the fall semester, but ultimately returned to Navarro College.{{Cite web |url=https://www.etonline.com/netflixs-cheer-heres-what-lexi-brumback-jerry-harris-and-other-navarro-favorites-are-doing-now |title='Cheer' Favorite Lexi Brumback Is Back on the Squad and More Updates |website=Entertainment Tonight |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210419/https://www.etonline.com/netflixs-cheer-heres-what-lexi-brumback-jerry-harris-and-other-navarro-favorites-are-doing-now |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://thetab.com/uk/2020/01/13/navarro-cheer-netflix-cast-where-are-they-now-137818 |title=Netflix Cheer: This is what all the Navarro cheerleaders are up to now |date=January 13, 2020 |website=UK |language=en-GB |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210421/https://thetab.com/uk/2020/01/13/navarro-cheer-netflix-cast-where-are-they-now-137818 |url-status=live}} He became famous for his eccentric personality.{{Cite web |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/what-is-jerry-harris-doing-after-cheer-fans-cant-get-enough-of-him-21097449 |title=Here's What Fan-Favorite & Precious Human Jerry Is Doing After 'Cheer' |website=Elite Daily |date=January 17, 2020 |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210424/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/what-is-jerry-harris-doing-after-cheer-fans-cant-get-enough-of-him-21097449 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1114152/what-the-stars-of-netflix-s-cheer-are-up-to-today |title=What the Stars of Netflix's Cheer Are Up to Today |date=January 21, 2020 |publisher=E! |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210408/https://www.eonline.com/news/1114152/what-the-stars-of-netflix-s-cheer-are-up-to-today |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/what-is-jerry-doing-after-cheer-he-might-be-back-at-navarro-21098490 |title=You Can Still Donate To Jerry's GoFundMe After Watching 'Cheer' |website=Bustle |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210359/https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/where-is-jerry-harris-cheer-now-netflix-charges-arrest-scandal-navarro |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/netflixs-cheer-breakout-star-jerry-161614841.html |title=Netflix's 'Cheer' Breakout Star Jerry Harris GoFundMe Flooded With Donations From Fans |publisher=Yahoo! Finance |date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210430/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/netflixs-cheer-breakout-star-jerry-161614841.html |url-status=live}}l{{Cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/living/netflix-cheer-documentary-navarro-cheerleaders-now-a4339491.html |title=Cheer-fluencers: Where are the stars of the hit Netflix show now? |date=January 23, 2020 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210401/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/living/netflix-cheer-documentary-navarro-cheerleaders-now-a4339491.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.ktvb.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/cheer-favorites-lexi-brumback-and-jerry-harris-return-to-navarro-and-more-squad-updates/603-0ee432f5-984e-48c5-8c0f-394ec624eaab |title='Cheer': Favorites Lexi Brumback and Jerry Harris Return to Navarro and More Squad Updates |publisher=KTVB |date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210400/https://www.ktvb.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/cheer-favorites-lexi-brumback-and-jerry-harris-return-to-navarro-and-more-squad-updates/603-0ee432f5-984e-48c5-8c0f-394ec624eaab |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2020/01/17/the-characters-were-rooting-for-on-netflixs-cheer/ |title=The characters we're rooting for on Netflix's 'Cheer' |last=Weiss |first=Suzy |date=January 17, 2020 |website=New York Post |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210418/https://nypost.com/2020/01/17/the-characters-were-rooting-for-on-netflixs-cheer/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a30645705/navarro-cheer-cheerleaders-cast-today/ |title=Freakishly Obsessed With 'Cheer'? Same! Here's Where the Cast Is RN |last=Bonner |first=Mehera |date=January 23, 2020 |website=Cosmopolitan easo |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210406/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a30645705/navarro-cheer-cheerleaders-cast-today/ |url-status=live}}
Career
In January 2020, he appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, along with other members of the Cheer team.{{Cite web |url=https://decider.com/2020/01/23/watch-cheer-ellen-championship-routine/ |title=Watch the 'Cheer' Squad Perform Their Winning Routine on 'Ellen' |date=January 23, 2020 |website=Decider |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210426/https://decider.com/2020/01/23/watch-cheer-ellen-championship-routine/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Area-cheer-squad-appears-on-Ellen-leaves-with-20000-check-567279041.html |title=Area cheer squad appears on 'Ellen,' leaves with $20,000 check |last=Hays |first=Julie |publisher=KWTX |date=January 25, 2020 |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210454/https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Area-cheer-squad-appears-on-Ellen-leaves-with-20000-check-567279041.html |url-status=live}}{{Citation |title=The 'Cheer' Cast Gives Ellen 'Mat Talk' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fYtFp2zz28 |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210426/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fYtFp2zz28 |url-status=live}} In February 2020, DeGeneres announced that Harris would be The Ellen DeGeneres Show
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he made a guest appearance on the cheerleading themed song "Mas(k)ot" by Todrick Hall from his album Quarantine Queen.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9366853/todrick-hall-coronavirus-album-announcement |title=Surprise! Todrick Hall Is Releasing a Coronavirus-Themed Album This Week |last=Daw |first=Stephen |magazine=Billboard |date=April 27, 2020 |accessdate=April 29, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210528/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/todrick-hall-coronavirus-album-announcement-9366853/ |url-status=live}}
2020 arrest
In September 2020, the FBI announced they had a warrant for Harris for allegedly soliciting sex from minors.{{Cite web |last1=Kwiatkowski |first1=Maria |last2=Nadolny |first2=Tricia L. |date=September 14, 2020 |title=Jerry Harris from Cheer under FBI Investigation for Allegedly Soliciting Sex from Minors |url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2020/09/14/jerry-harris-cheerleader-netflix-cheer-fbi-investigation-search-warrant-alleged-sexual-misconduct/5741805002/ |access-date=September 14, 2020 |work=USA Today |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210502/https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2020/09/14/jerry-harris-cheerleader-netflix-cheer-fbi-investigation-search-warrant-alleged-sexual-misconduct/5741805002/ |url-status=live}} The case involves twin brothers who were 13 when Harris, 19 at the time, sent suggestive messages asking for pictures and seeking sex. The boys' mother at first dismissed the contacts, but after another cheerleading coach allegedly assaulted them, felt there might be a pervasive atmosphere of tolerance of sexual abuse either in the sport or the companies that govern them. United States All Star Federation, Varsity Spirit and Cheer Athletics were later named as parties to the legal proceedings.
On September 17, 2020, Harris was arrested by the FBI and charged in federal court in Chicago for production of child pornography.{{Cite news |last=Bahr |first=Sarah |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Jerry Harris of 'Cheer' Arrested on Child Pornography Charge |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/arts/television/jerry-harris-child-pornography-arrest.html |access-date=September 17, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210448/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/arts/television/jerry-harris-child-pornography-arrest.html |url-status=live}} Harris allegedly admitted to soliciting and receiving explicit messages on Snapchat from other individuals he knew were minors; he also allegedly admitted to having sex with a 15-year-old in mid-2019 when Harris was 19, according to federal court records.{{cite news |last=Madani |first=Doha |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Jerry Harris of Netflix's 'Cheer' arrested on a child pornography charge |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jerry-harris-netflix-s-cheer-arrested-child-pornography-charge-n1240337 |accessdate=September 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210506/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jerry-harris-netflix-s-cheer-arrested-child-pornography-charge-n1240337 |url-status=live}} Harris was suspended from at least one company, and faced the loss of several sponsorships. A spokesperson for Harris denied the allegations, "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."{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Justine |date=September 17, 2020 |title='Cheer' star Jerry Harris arrested on child pornography charge |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/516933-cheer-star-jerry-harris-arrested-on-child-pornography-charge |access-date=September 17, 2020 |website=The Hill |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210452/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/516933-cheer-star-jerry-harris-arrested-on-child-pornography-charge |url-status=live}} Harris's cheer coach Monica Aldama posted on Instagram that she was devastated by the news of his arrest.{{Cite web |first1=Erin |last1=Jensen |first2=Tricia L. |last2=Nadolny |first3=Marisa |last3=Kwiatkowski |first4=Daniel |last4=Connolly |title=Jerry Harris' 'Cheer' coach Monica Aldama is 'devastated' following his arrest for child porn |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/09/18/jerry-harris-cheerleading-coach-monica-aldama-reacts-shocking-news/5825529002/ |access-date=September 18, 2020 |website=USA Today |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210520/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/09/18/jerry-harris-cheerleading-coach-monica-aldama-reacts-shocking-news/5825529002/ |url-status=live}}
In a statement about his arrest, Netflix said "Like everyone we are shocked by this news. Any abuse of minors is a terrible crime and we respect the legal process."{{Cite web |first1=Sandra |last1=Gonzalez |first2=Brad |last2=Parks |title='Cheer' star Jerry Harris arrested on charge of production of child pornography |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/17/entertainment/jerry-harris-arrested/index.html |date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=September 18, 2020 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210455/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/17/entertainment/jerry-harris-arrested/index.html |url-status=live}}
On December 12, 2020, it was reported that Harris faced an additional seven charges involving incidents with four other minors from August 2017 to August 2020, including a charge involving an alleged incident where Harris traveled from Texas to Florida to have sex with a 15-year-old in May 2019.{{Cite web |first1=Omar |last1=Jimenez |first2=Theresa |last2=Waldrop |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/11/us/jerry-harris-cheer-child-porn-sex-charges/index.html |title=Star of Netflix series 'Cheer' indicted on new child pornography and sex charges |publisher=CNN |date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210456/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/11/us/jerry-harris-cheer-child-porn-sex-charges/index.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |first1=Minyvonne |last1=Burke |first2=Diana |last2=Dasrath |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jerry-harris-star-netflix-s-cheer-faces-new-charges-child-n1250996 |title=Jerry Harris, star of Netflix's 'Cheer,' faces new charges in child pornography case |publisher=NBC News |date=December 12, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210526/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jerry-harris-star-netflix-s-cheer-faces-new-charges-child-n1250996 |url-status=live}} Harris pleaded not guilty to the new charges.{{Cite web |first=Annabel |last=Nugent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/cheer-jerry-harris-child-abuse-charge-b1776017.html |title=Cheer star Jerry Harris pleads not guilty to child sex charges |newspaper=The Independent |date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114210505/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/cheer-jerry-harris-child-abuse-charge-b1776017.html |url-status=live}}
On February 10, 2022, Harris pleaded guilty to allegations of child sex abuse.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60342801 |title=Jerry Harris: Star of Netflix's Cheer admits child sex crimes |website=BBC News |date=February 10, 2022}} He was obtaining photos of child sexual abuse and soliciting sex from minors. Harris was held without bond in a federal detention center and was set to be sentenced on June 28, 2022. Harris was instead sentenced on July 6, 2022, to 12 years in prison, followed by eight years of court-supervised probation.{{Cite news |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Ex-Cheer star Jerry Harris pleads guilty to child sexual abuse image charges |pages=1 |agency=Associated Press |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/feb/11/ex-cheer-star-jerry-harris-pleads-guilty-to-child-sexual-abuse-image-charges |access-date=February 11, 2022}}
References
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External links
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Category:African-American television personalities
Category:Navarro College cheer alumni
Category:People from Bolingbrook, Illinois
Category:Television personalities from Chicago
Category:People from Hinsdale, Illinois
Category:21st-century African-American people
Category:African-American LGBTQ people
Category:American people convicted of child pornography offenses
Category:American prisoners and detainees
Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government