“Cheer” star Jeremiah “Jerry” Harris has been sentenced to 12 yrs in federal jail following pleading responsible in February to two out of 7 sexual abuse and kid pornography prices, United states Right now documented on July 6. As section of the new plea arrangement, the other fees were being dropped.
In a assertion to People today in February, Harris’s defense staff claimed he decided to plead responsible “simply because he needs to take obligation for his steps and publicly express his regret for the hurt he has triggered the victims in this case.” The statement ongoing, “Jerry is a 22-12 months-outdated youthful person whose tale can only be recognized however the lens of the severe poverty, sexual abuse, and neglect of his childhood. Jerry was himself exploited, manipulated, and sexually abused as a baby within just the cheer community in a way that perversely made him think that this sexual perform was somehow regular when it was not.”
Harris was in the beginning arrested in Naperville on Sept. 17, 2020, after allegations of baby sexual exploitation and abuse were being brought versus him in a lawsuit by an legal professional representing two alleged victims. Three months later, he confronted additional prices for receiving and trying to obtain child pornography, applying the online in Orlando, FL, to “persuade, induce, and entice” a minor, and touring from Texas to Florida “for the function of participating in illicit sexual conduct” with a minor.
Prosecutors also charged Harris with 4 counts of applying, persuading, inducing, and enticing a slight “to engage in sexually express conduct for the function of developing a visual depiction of these types of carry out.” The functions allegedly occurred in Naperville, IL, and Corsicana, TX, among August 2017 and August 2020.
Lawyers Morgan Stewart and Sarah Klein, who symbolize two of the alleged victims, earlier dealt with the expenses in a statement, saying:
“We are grateful that the U,S. Lawyer and the FBI have ongoing to investigate this scenario, identify additional victims and choose motion. This was made doable mainly because our clients’ mother at first had the bravery to report Harris to the FBI and delivered evidentiary evidence of the manipulation, sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation that her sons experienced suffered. We urge the authorities to undertake a complete investigation of the United States All Star Federation, Varsity Spirit, and Cheer Athletics to decide which of their executives, personnel, and reps could have stopped Harris’ abuse and unsuccessful to do so.”
If you or a person you know would like to speak with someone who is experienced to assist sexual assault survivors, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
