Crime & Safety
Jerry Harris Of 'Cheer' Gets 12 Years For Sex Crimes Against Minors
Harris, of Naperville, pleaded guilty to charges of receiving child pornography and traveling to engage in sexual misconduct with a minor.
NAPERVILLE, IL — A judge Wednesday sentenced former Netflix star and Naperville resident Jerry Harris to 12 years in federal prison for charges involving sex crimes against minors, according to CNN. Harris, who formerly starred in the series "Cheer," pleaded guilty in February to charges that he received child pornography and traveled to engage in sex with minors.
In Sept. 2020, an initial lawsuit was filed in Texas accusing Harris of soliciting sex and "sexually explicit photos" from minors. Shortly after, a search warrant was issued for Harris's Naperville home.
Days later, Harris was charged with producing child pornography after being further accused of contacting a 13-year-old boy on social media and enticing him to send sexually explicit photos and videos, according to another complaint.
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The complaint further alleged that the teen informed Harris of his age during their initial online communication. If convicted, Harris faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Harris was indicted on additional charges in Dec. 2020, when four more accusers came forward stating he solicited photographs and sex from minors.
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The actor reached a plea deal in February.
After Harris's 12-year sentence is complete, he must serve eight years of court-supervised release.
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