'Cheer' star, Jerry Harris sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on child sexual abuse charges

Jerry Harris, 22, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, on charges of child sexual abuse, on Wednesday. The breakout star of the Netflix docuseries “Cheer”, Harris was indicted on counts of receiving or attempting to receive child pornography, and sexually assaulting a minor in the bathroom during a cheer competition. As part of the plea deal, other similar charges were dismissed.

It is a shocking fall from grace for the star who rose to fame in Cheer, and bagged endorsements with Walmart, Starburst, and Cheerios. Allegations against him were first reported in May, 2020 to the United Stated All Star Federation. The first allegations were filed by minor twins from Texas, when they were 13, and Harris was 19. He was later suspended in September, when a news outlet made these allegations public.

The twins, now 16, stated in court the lasting impact of the abuse, including PTSD, and other mental struggles. Harris, himself, was abused at the age of 13, by a 19-year-old from his cheer gym, argued his lawyers. They also submitted character reference letters from more than 80 people, but the prosecutors argued that his abuse could not be a “blank check to commit sex offenses against minors.”


Harris’ 12-year sentence will be followed by an 8-year court-supervised release. Harris was apologetic after the sentencing, praying for his victims’ suffering to come to an end. The docuseries “Cheer” followed a Texas cheerleading team, while season 2 addressed the charges against Harris.