Tag: accused

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Star Of Netflix’s ‘Cheer’ Accused Of Encouraging Minor To Produce Sexually Explicit Material

Jerry Harris (image via Instagram)
Jeremiah “Jerry” Harris, who rose to fame on the Netflix docuseries “Cheer,” has been accused of child sexual exploitation and abuse, according to a lawsuit filed this week by attorneys representing two alleged victims. From CNN:

The lawsuit alleges that Harris “exploited his popularity and position of fame with young male cheer athletes” in the time “leading up to, during, and following the distribution of the ‘Cheer’ docuseries.”

The two alleged male victims, now 14, were 13 when the inappropriate behavior began, according to the claim.

Among the allegations are that Harris exchanged messages with the minors that were “sexual in nature” via social media, including requests for “explicit” photographs and sending “sexually explicit photos and videos of himself to Plaintiffs,” the lawsuit said.

Hours later, CNN filed a new report that Harris has been arrested and charged with “enticing an underage boy to produce sexually explicit videos and photos of himself,” according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The minor involved in the complaint was reportedly 13 at the time. An attorney for Harris said he will seek his client’s release due to the 21-year-old being asthmatic and at risk for Covid-19. A spokesperson for Harris told CNN at the time, “We categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris, which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager. We are confident that when the investigation is completed the true facts will be revealed.” According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the production of child pornography is punishable by a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.

Harris is one of several students who found national fame thanks to “Cheer” which debuted in January 2020. The docuseries chronicles the journey of a cheerleading team from a small college in Corsicana, Texas, on their way to national competition.

The series was recently honored with two Emmy Awards and is nominated for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program at Saturday night’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

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X-Men director Bryan Singer accused of drugging and molesting 17 year old

According to The Hollywood Reporter, X-Men director Bryan Singer has been accused of drugging and molesting a 17 year old boy in the late 90s:

The plaintiff is Michael F. Egan III, a Nevada resident who grew up in the Midwest and moved to Los Angeles with his family as a teen to further his acting career. Egan, who is 31 today and describes himself as heterosexual, filed the suit without a pseudonym and his name appears in a press release issued by his counsel. He alleges that Singer and others threatened to make or break his Hollywood aspirations depending on whether he kept them happy.

Egan has contacted police authorities, his lawyer’s media director told THR. An LAPD spokesperson said he had not seen a complaint but would look further, and messages left with the Honolulu Police Dept. were not returned.

The lawsuit reads:

Defendant, BRYAN JAY SINGER, manipulated his power, wealth, and position in the entertainment industry to sexually abuse and exploit the underage Plaintiff through the use of drugs, alcohol, threats, and inducements which resulted in Plaintiff suffering catastrophic psychological and emotional injuries. Defendant Singer did so as part of a group of adult males similarly positioned in the entertainment industry that maintained and exploited boys in a sordid sex ring. A Hollywood mogul must not use his position to sexually exploit underage actors.

Singer’s lawyer Marty Singer denied the charges:

“The claims made against Bryan Singer are completely without merit. We are very confident that Bryan will be vindicated in this absurd and defamatory lawsuit…It is obvious that this case was filed in an attempt to get publicity at a time when Bryan’s new movie is about to open in a few weeks.”

(via Towleroad)