Jeremiah “Jerry” Harris, one of the students featured in Netflix’s “Cheer” documentary series, was arrested on charges of producing child pornography, according to US assistant attorney Joseph Fitzpatrick.
Harris, 21, is accused of “seducing a minor boy to produce sexually explicit videos and photos of himself,” according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Chicago.
The minor was 13 at the time, the complaint said.

Harris was arrested shortly after 11 am on Thursday, three days after the FBI broke into his home in an upscale neighborhood of Naperville, on block 2600 in Evercrest Court Illinois, USA.

Harris appeared in a federal court in Chicago on Thursday afternoon, where the government ordered his arrest as a danger to the community.

Harris’ lawyer said he will seek his release saying he is “asthmatic” and is at risk of contracting Covid-19.

The production of child pornography is punishable by a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years.
Harris was questioned by police officers this week about these charges, according to the criminal complaint.
Earlier this week, Harris was charged with child sexual exploitation and abuse in a lawsuit filed by a lawyer representing two alleged victims.

“Cheer” recently won two Emmy Awards that will be announced overnight at the Virtual Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday.

On Thursday, a Netflix spokesman reported: “Like everyone, we are shocked by this news. Any abuse of minors is a terrible crime and we respect the legal process.”