Cheer star Jerry Harris is under investigation from the FBI. Photo / Getty Images
Cheer star Jerry Harris is under investigation from the FBI. Photo / Getty Images
Cheer star Jerry Harris is under investigation from the FBI after allegations he solicited sex and sexually explicit photos from minors.
Sources told USA Today that FBI agents carried out a search warrant yesterday at an Illinois home as part of the investigation, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
FBI special agent and public affairs officer Siobhan Johnson said the FBI was conducting court-authorised law enforcement activity in the area, but declined to comment further.
Harris, 21, who rose to fame after featuring in Netflix's Cheer docuseries, has not been criminally charged and could not be immediately reached for comment.
The investigation is based on allegations reported to police by Varsity Brands, a company that handles uniform sales and major competitions in the cheerleading industry.
Varsity's legal officer Burton Brillhart said in letters sent to police in Florida and Texas on August 1 that the company had learned of "inappropriate sexual conduct" allegations against Harris and reported them to authorities.
"As a result of the recent allegation, we have barred this person from having any affiliation with Varsity Brands or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, now and in the future," he wrote.
Brillhart included screenshots in his letter to authorities. One was of a Snapchat picturing what appears to be Harris' face with the message, "Would you ever want to f***". The other, showing a series of text messages, shows an individual named Jerry Harris writing, "Hey btw I found a place for us to do stuff it's actually pretty good haha".
Harris, 21, shot to fame after appearing in Netflix's Cheer docuseries. Photo / Getty Images
Brillhart described Harris as a former employee who was not working with Varsity when the incidents took place.
Harris shared on social media in May 2019 that he was working for the National Cheerleaders Association, a Varsity brand, and posted photos and videos of himself coaching athletes at NCA camps.
Varsity did not respond to requests for comment from the Chicago Sun-Times.
The docuseries tells the story of Texas' Navarro College cheerleaders aiming to win a national title.
It received six Emmy nominations and was a huge success when it was released in January this year.
Harris drew fans to the show with his positive attitude and became its breakout star, shouting encouragement at his teammates.
Harris interviewed celebrities on the Oscars red carpet for the Ellen DeGeneres show. He also filmed a video with former US vice president Joe Biden encouraging young Black voters to show up on election day. The video has since been removed.
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