Cheer star Jerry Harris pays $45K to victim’s funds amid 12-year prison sentence for his sex crimes involving minors
As a seasoned law enforcement officer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from petty crimes to heinous acts that shake the core of our society. But when I read about this case involving Monica Harris, it left me utterly appalled and disheartened.
As I sit here, serving out my 12-year sentence in a federal prison, I can’t help but reflect on the reality that I, Jerry Harris, have fulfilled one key requirement of my sentencing – the part that demands time behind bars. This comes after being charged with heinous sexual crimes involving minors. It’s a harsh reminder of the choices I made and the consequences that follow.
According to court records acquired by TMZ, the former Netflix star and convicted sex offender from the 2020 series “Cheer” contributed a total of $45,200 to two separate victim compensation funds.
The individual aged 25 years made a contribution of $35,000 to the AVAA Crime Victims Fund and an additional $10,000 to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act Fund.
He needed to carry out this task and also reimburse over $135,000 to his victims. It’s unclear if he has fulfilled that financial obligation yet.
In the previous month, Harris received a sentence that includes 12 years behind bars, as well as 8 years of post-release supervision by the court. This was due to his actions of enticing minors for sexual purposes and compelling underage boys to share inappropriate images and recordings with him.
As he was sentenced, Harris insisted he is ‘not an evil person.’
During a trial at a federal court in Chicago, the fallen celebrity expressed remorse towards his victims and admitted that he is still trying to understand his true identity.
Authorities advocated for a long prison term, arguing that Harris’ fame allowed him to influence and attract his underage victims into participating in sexual activities.
The judge, Manish S Shah, conveyed to the social media influencer and cheerleading champion that the statement served as a strong warning about the gravity of their actions, yet it also carried a glimmer of optimism suggesting that both they and their victims may find healing in time for a better future.
In a court appearance lasting approximately seven hours, Harris, who has been held in a federal detention center since his apprehension in September 2020, came before the court to receive his sentence.
In a moment prior to his sentencing, he expressed remorse, saying, “I sincerely apologize for the distress I’ve inflicted upon you through my abusive actions.”
‘I pray deep down that your suffering comes to an end.’
He added: ‘I’m not an evil person. I’m still learning who I am and what my purpose is.’
Prominent individuals, like Monica Aldama (Navarro College head coach), Morgan Simianer (teammate), and the parents of Gabi Butler’s fellow cheerleader, were among those who wrote character reference letters, submitted as part of Harris’ defense. These individuals are well-known figures in the Cheer community.
In the first season of the popular Netflix series related to cheerleading, Harris gained rapid recognition. However, he subsequently admitted guilt for two offenses: receiving child pornography through interstate communication, and intentionally traveling across state borders for illegal sexual acts involving a minor.
The Texas native was 19 years old at the time of his arrest.
Previously, Harris, hailing from the Chicago suburb Naperville, admitted guilt for two charges: one for intending to participate in illegal sexual activities while traveling, and another for possessing child pornography.
His pleas were entered during a plea hearing in a US federal court in Chicago in February.
As a conscientious individual, I have admitted my guilt regarding two out of the seven charges brought against me. These charges include soliciting a 17-year-old to share inappropriate images with me for financial compensation.
Another incident arose due to his visit to Florida, where he was accused of engaging in illegal sexual activities with a 15-year-old.
Additionally, it was claimed during the case that he requested video and photo material from two 14-year-old siblings.
US prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining five counts under a plea agreement.
Based on the charges, it’s claimed that Harris sought out sexual encounters with minors during cheerleading events and successfully persuaded adolescent males to share explicit images and videos of themselves with him.
Later on, Harris confessed to FBI investigators that he had asked a young boy for self-portraits and solicited child exploitation material, such as pornography, through Snapchat from around 10 to 15 other individuals known to be minors, as stated in the indictment.
In simpler terms, ‘Assistant US Attorney Christopher Parente stated in a writing that the sexual assault Harris perpetrated on a boy, in an open public bathroom during an event where many responsible adults were present, suggests either Harris doesn’t worry about getting caught with his unlawful acts or lacks self-control to prevent them.’
In the United States, a conviction for child pornography can result in a prison term between five and twenty years, while a second such offense could lead to a maximum penalty of up to thirty years behind bars.
Officials asserted that Harris manipulated underage victims into sharing explicit images and videos of themselves, along with enticing underage boys as young as 13 for sexual encounters during cheerleading events nationwide, based on the Tribune’s report.
Reflecting on last year’s events in December 2020, I found myself facing allegations concerning questionable behavior at various competitions held in Illinois, Florida, and Texas. These accusations claimed that I had inappropriately attempted to encourage a minor to engage in oral sex during one of the cheerleading events. Federal authorities have brought these charges against me, asserting their belief in this account.
Officials assert that he not only sought out another minor for sexual purposes in a separate region, but also acknowledged having between five and ten victims overall.
The prosecution portrayed him as an influential figure in the cutthroat world of competitive cheerleading, given his presence on the widely-acclaimed Netflix documentary series that chronicles a cheerleading team from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas.
As a lifestyle consultant, I find it unfortunate to share that I’ve been confined within bars since the autumn of 2020. This unfortunate turn of events came after US Magistrate Judge Heather McShain deemed me as a potential threat to society following an initial charge of one count of child pornography production.
McShain stated that Harris leveraged his influence in the cheerleading circle to connect with and make advances towards his underage accusers, dismissing the idea of a vague distinction between his age and theirs.
‘(Harris) was not a child,’ McShain said. ‘He was an adult.’
Federal authorities portrayed Harris as an individual exploiting his celebrity status, targeting young boys for abuse across various cheerleading competitions throughout the country.
Officials asserted that despite knowing an investigation was ongoing, Harris persisted in his inappropriate sexual advances towards minors. They petitioned the court to refuse bail for Harris.
Simultaneously, Harris’ lawyers asked the court to allow him home confinement due to his asthma condition, which makes him vulnerable to COVID-19 if kept in prison.
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2024-08-03 02:04