Crime & Safety
Former 'Cheer' Star Harris Pleads Guilty To Child Porn Charges
Naperville native Jerry Harris, who rose to fame in the Netflix series 'Cheer,' faces up to 50 years in prison and up to a $500,000 fine.
NAPERVILLE, IL — Jerry Harris, the Naperville native and former star in the hit Netflix series "Cheer," pleaded guilty Thursday to federal child pornography charges, according to court documents.
Harris pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Harris enticed four unnamed minors in Texas and Florida to send him photos or videos of them committing sexual acts, according to the plea agreement.
Harris faces anywhere between 5 and 50 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines plus any restitution, court documents say.
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The plea comes nearly a year and a half after he was arrested on child pornography charges stemming from a complaint filed by a mother of two twin 14-year-old boys who are competitive cheerleaders.
The mother filed a lawsuit against Harris in Texas, accusing him of sexual misconduct and sexually exploiting other members of the cheer community.
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