A federal judge has sentenced Jerry Harris, a former star of the Netflix documentary series “Cheer,” to 12 years in prison for coercing teenage boys to send him obscene photos and videos of themselves and soliciting sex from minors at cheerleading competitions.

Netflix's docuseries “Cheer” is back for a second season, picking up where season one left off.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – “Cheer” star Jerry Harris has pleaded not guilty to federal child pornography charges and allegations that he solicited sex from minors at cheerleading competitions and convinced teenage boys to send him obscene photographs and videos of themselves. Harris, 21, of Naperville, Illinois, was indicted earlier this month in a seven-count indictment that included the child sex, porn and other allegations. Two of Harris’ alleged victims, who are teenage brothers, have sued Harris in Texas. He has been held there since his September arrest on child pornography charges. Harris was the breakout star of the Emmy-winning docuseries that follows a cheerleading team from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas.

CHICAGO – “Cheer” star Jerry Harris, already facing federal child pornography charges, has been indicted on new charges that allege he solicited sex from minors at cheerleading competitions and convinced teenage boys to send him obscene photographs and videos of themselves. The new seven-count indictment that was made public on Friday was not unexpected. Harris, 21, of Naperville, has been held in a federal detention facility without bond since he was arrested on child pornography charges in September, and a judge has subsequently suggested that Harris would pose a public danger if released from custody. Harris' attorneys have not yet spoken about the new charges but an arraignment was scheduled for Friday afternoon. Harris, who was born in the Chicago suburb of Hinsdale and raised in nearby Bolingbrook, was the breakout star of the Emmy-winning docuseries that follows the cheerleading team from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas.

(AP) – “Cheer” star Jerry Harris will remain in jail while awaiting trial on child pornography charges, a federal judge in Chicago said Friday. Attorneys for Harris, who appears in the Netflix documentary series, had asked that he be released and confined at home under strict conditions. Four women had promised to monitor Harris if he were released from jail. But McShain said Harris would remain locked up. “Upon learning of the investigation, (Harris) dumped his cellphone, obtained a new cellphone and continued with his same course of conduct,” McShain said.

The FBI is seeking to identify additional underage children that were asked by Jerry Harris to produce or view sexually graphic videos or photos or engage in sexual conduct, the agency announced Friday. All responses are voluntary but may be useful in the federal investigation and to identify potential victims. The agency says that you may have already given this information to an FBI agent, but to provide the information again in the questionnaire. Based on your responses, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information. All identities of victims will be kept confidential, the FBI says.

Harris did not respond for comment from USA Today, and attempts by The Associated Press to find a phone number for Harris have not been successful. Besides accusing Harris of sexual misconduct, the lawsuit alleges that cheer organizations failed to protect the boys. A Varsity official in Aug. 1 letters to police in Florida and Texas said the organization had learned of “inappropriate sexual conduct” allegations against Harris, USA TODAY reported. Cheer Athletics owner Angela Rogers told the newspaper that Harris hasn’t been affiliated with the gym since March 1. Rogers told the newspaper that she learned of the allegations against him in mid-May and reported them to police.

The lawsuit filed Monday in Texas against Harris and three cheer organizations says the boys' mother reported Harris to the FBI last month. The boys’ mother told USA TODAY that both boys have spoken to the FBI. Harris, who has not been criminally charged, did not respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. In addition to accusing Harris of sexual misconduct, the lawsuit accuses cheer organizations of failing to protect the boys. The lawsuit says the boys’ mother reported Harris to USASF, Varsity and Cheer Athletics.

HOUSTON – Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt is joining the chorus of folks celebrating a new Netflix documentary series that’s becoming known for its heartfelt portrayal of Texas junior college cheerleading. Watt wrote in his tweet, “JERRY HARRIS IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF NAVARRO COLLEGE CHEERLEADING. IF HE DOESN’T MAKE THE MAT, I WILL RIOT.”Kealia: I’ve heard people say CHEER on Netflix is really good, we should watch it. Me 2 episodes in: JERRY HARRIS IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF NAVARRO COLLEGE CHEERLEADING. — JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 21, 2020Have you watched the acclaimed series yet?