Jerry Harris, the ridiculously cheerful breakout star of Netflix‘s hit cheerleading documentary series Cheer is reportedly under FBI investigation over sexual misconduct allegations involving minors.
According to USA Today, the FBI are investigating allegations that Harris solicited sexually explicit photos and sex from minors.
It is reported that agents investigated Harris’ house under a search warrant on Monday, September 14th, as part of the investigation.
This FBI probe is reportedly based on allegations brought forward by 14-year-old twin brothers, Charlie and Sam, who described a year-long “pattern of harassment, both online and at cheer competitions” that began when they were 13 and Harris was 19.
These allegations were subsequently reported to police in Florida and Texas by cheer industry conglomerate Varsity.
Varsity Chief Legal Officer Burton Brillhart reportedly said that the company learned of these “inappropriate sexual misconduct” allegations against Harris before reporting it to authorities, writing in a letter to police: “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.”
Brillhart also states that the accusations took place during when Harris was not a Varsity employee.
The USA Today report also includes screenshots of five social media and text conversations between the twin brothers and accounts that reportedly belong to Harris.
Several messages reportedly involve “explicitly requesting nude photos or sex.”
In response to the report from USA Today, Harris issued out a statement to Variety through a spokesperson.
“We categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris, which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager,” the spokesperson told Variety. “We are confident that when the investigation is completed the true facts will be revealed.”
Jerry Harris first came to prominence as the bubbly star in Netflix’s Cheer and his fame has since grown following several high profile TV appearances, which included a well received stint as an Oscars red carpet reporter for The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Check out the trailer for Netflix’s ‘Cheer’:
