“Cheer” star Jerry Harris will remain behind bars while awaiting trial, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Harris’ alleged conduct and how he hid his alleged crimes from the cheer community “overwhelmingly supports detention,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Heather McShain said before issuing her order.
While noting Harris’ community support and lack of criminal history, McShain said they do not undo the presumption that he is charged with an “extremely serious” crime — production of child pornography — that poses an ongoing threat to the community.
Harris wasn’t at Friday’s hearing but was listening in by phone.
Before McShain ruled, a woman could be heard on the phone telling Harris, “love you kiddo.” Another voice could be heard saying, “stay strong…and know that you are loved.”
Before deciding whether to free Harris, McShain heard Wednesday from the mother of two boys allegedly targeted for sexual advances by Harris. The mother asked the judge to “send a message that the allegations made by my sons … are being taken very seriously.”
McShain also heard from four women who promised to monitor Harris should he be released from jail. One told McShain that if the Netflix docuseries star didn’t follow the rules of pretrial release, “we will not stand by his side.”
Harris has been held in Chicago’s downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center since his arrest by the FBI.
Federal prosecutors say Harris sexually assaulted a 15-year-old boy in a public bathroom and should remain in jail. The feds also say Harris, 21, tried to persuade another minor to engage in oral sex with him at cheerleading events, solicited a third minor for sex and sought and received child pornography on Snapchat from 10 to 15 others he knew were underage.
They’ve also hinted more charges could be coming.
Defense attorney Todd Pugh asked the judge to let Harris out of jail on house arrest, to be monitored by the four women as third-party custodians but given no internet access.
McShain Friday commended the four women for “stepping up” but said it would “virtually impossible” to make sure Harris does not access the Internet.
