Jerry Harris.Photo: Jim Spellman/Getty Images
Jerry Harris, the season one breakout star of docuseriesCheer, pleaded guilty to two out of seven sexual abuse and child pornography charges Thursday, departing from the not guilty plea he entered more than a year ago.
Three months later, in December,a seven-count indictmentwas unsealed accusing Harris of additional criminal acts that took place in Florida, Illinois and Texas — all involving minors and sexual in nature. Hepleaded not guiltyto each of the seven charges a week later.
On Thursday, Harris only pleaded guilty to two counts from the indictment: receiving child pornography and crossing state lines for the purpose of engaging in an illicit sexual act with a minor under the age of 15.
As part of his plea agreement with prosecutors, the other charges were dropped,The New York Timesreported. Sentencing is expected on June 28.
Harris' defense team shared a statement with PEOPLE following his change of plea Thursday, claiming that he made the decision to plead guilty “because he wishes to take responsibility for his actions and publicly convey his remorse for the harm he has caused the victims in this case.”
“Jerry is a 22-year-old young man whose story can only be understood though the lens of the extreme poverty, sexual abuse, and neglect of his childhood,” the statement continues. “Jerry was himself exploited, manipulated, and sexually abused as a child within the cheer community in a way that perversely made him believe that this sexual conduct was somehow normal when it was not.”
The statement alleges that Harris did not have a safe place to share his own experiences of being exploited, so he masked his trauma with a “bright face.”
Harris rose to prominence whenCheerpremiered onNetflixat the start of 2020, and his fan base continued to grow when he made headlines for serving as Ellen DeGeneres’correspondent at the Oscarsandproviding encouragementduring the COVID-19 lockdowns that followed shortly after.
Only a few months into his newfound stardom, the sex crime allegations halted his career.
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The mother of the twin boys involved in the initial suit against Harris released a statement Thursday reacting to the news.
“In an effort to put a stop to a serial predator and avert harm to other children, my sons took the brave step of speaking publicly about the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Jerry Harris,” she said. “Harris' admission of guilt today gives me hope that the pain and grief that my sons have suffered as a result of speaking up has not been in vain.”
She continued: “I will continue my mission to hold Jerry Harris and his enablers fully accountable both in the courts of law and the court of public opinion.”
Harris' defense team said in their statement that their client has actively sought out and participated in mental health treatment since his arrest.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
