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‘Cheer’ star Jerry Harris arrested on charge of production of child pornography

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 29: Jerry Harris attends the Build Series to discuss "Cheer" at Build Studio on January 29, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images)

(CNN) — Jeremiah “Jerry” Harris, one of the students featured in Netflix’s breakout docuseries “Cheer,” has been arrested on a production of child pornography charge, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Fitzpatrick.

Harris is scheduled to appear in federal court in Chicago this afternoon, Fitzpatrick told CNN.

A representative for Harris did not immediately return CNN’s request for comment via email.

Harris, 21, is accused of “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 was 13 at the time, the complaint said.

Production of child pornography is punishable by a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years, a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office stated.

Harris was interviewed by law enforcement this week on these accusations, according to the criminal complaint.

Earlier this week, Harris was accused of child sexual exploitation and abuse in lawsuit filed by an attorney representing two alleged victims.

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.”

“Cheer” recently won two Emmy Awards and is nominated for outstanding unstructured reality program, which will be announced during the last night of the virtual Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday.