Texas Cheerleading Star Receives 12 Years of Prison for Child Pornography Charges

 Posted on July 12, 2022 in Federal Crimes

A well-known star of a reality TV series recently received a sentence of 12 years in federal prison for receiving and attempting to receive child pornography, and trying to solicit minors to engage in sexual contact with him. The 22-year-old man is accused of using his fame as a prominent cheerleader and media star to solicit the minors, who lived in Florida, Illinois, and Texas. Although he initially pleaded not guilty, he later did plead guilty to two of the charges.

Convictions for child pornography and soliciting a minor carry serious consequences under Texas and federal law. This case illustrates perfectly how prosecutors are eager to pursue sex offenders and punish them to the fullest extent of the law, using victims’ testimonies to bolster their case and minimize public sympathy for perpetrators who are very often victims of sexual abuse themselves. If you are facing charges of this nature, get help right away from a Texas criminal defense attorney who will aggressively defend you. 

Federal Child Pornography Charges

When a defendant’s actions involve sending or receiving material over state lines, even if that material is over the internet and is deleted or destroyed after receipt, the federal authorities may get involved. Someone convicted of knowingly possessing child pornography can face up to 10 years in federal prison and up to 20 years if the child is under age 12. Someone distributing pornography faces even higher prison sentences. All penalties can be increased if the defendant has a prior criminal history. 

Texas Child Pornography Charges

Someone convicted of federal child pornography charges may also face state charges. In Texas, child pornography crimes are punished severely. Possession is a third-degree felony, allowing up to $10,000 in fines and two to 10 years in prison. Distribution is a second-degree felony, allowing fines of up to $10,000 and up to 20 years in prison. Other conditions, such as images depicting a child of a very young age, violent or sadistic images, or the act of producing or distributing images, can bring first degree felony charges and up to 99 years in prison. 

Call a Dallas-Fort Worth Child Pornography Defense Attorney

Even false accusations of possessing or distributing child pornography can damage your reputation, career, and relationships, sometimes forever. If you have been charged with breaking Texas or federal child pornography laws, contact a Plano, Texas criminal defense attorney with The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. right away. We have an established history of aggressively defending our clients and will work hard to give you the best representation available. Call us now at 214-544-0061. 

Sources: 

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.43.htm

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/ex-cheer-star-jerry-harris-gets-12-years-prison-child-sex-abuse-images-rcna36853

​​https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/citizens-guide-us-federal-law-child-pornography