usatoday--2020-12-11--Still traveling despite the CDC warning? Here's how to pick a safe vacation destination

Here 's a trick question : Where 's the safest place to travel during the pandemic surge ?
Is it somewhere nearby ?
Or a squeaky-clean destination that takes its disinfecting really seriously ?
You probably already know the answer is .
It 's nowhere .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned against travel during the holiday season .
And in a perfect world , people would stay home as the COVID-19 pandemic enters its most dangerous phase yet .
But we do n't live in a perfect world .
Picking a safe destination means first eliminating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with high COVID-19 infection rates .
Then find the destinations where you 're least likely to sick .
And then ask yourself : Can I afford to travel there ?
How to find the safest place to travel during the pandemic surge Some places are more dangerous than others .
You can find information about your intended destination by consulting the following resources : Which country has the most COVID-19 infections ?
Check with the World Health Organization website , which keeps a running tab .
America is still No .
1 – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in case you were wondering .
Where are the infection rates high ?
The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center is the go-to place for that information .
It publishes a map of the United States and a world map showing you where the worst COVID-19 infections are .
Avoid the dark-red areas .
What will the infection rates be when I travel ?
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation , a research center at the University of Washington , predicts infection rates .
You can get a pretty good idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or down by studying the institute 's charts .
U.S. infections will be trending higher in the next few months , the institute predicts .
Which destinations are taking COVID-19 seriously ?
One way to determine that is by seeing if it displays the World Travel & Tourism Council 's Safe Travels stamp to assure the destination is doing everything it can to contain the virus .
Among the countries adopting these health and hygiene protocols : Croatia , Portugal , Jamaica and Bermuda .
Are remote destinations safer during the pandemic surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best way to avoid a COVID-19 infection ?
Maybe , maybe not .
Talk to tourism insiders who are in remote locations , and they 'll tell you that there 's a little more to it .
`` The safest places to stay are standalone units like cabins and cottages with outside entrances , '' says Lynda Paquette , a manager at Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay , a resort near Seward , Alaska .
`` If those units are also equipped with good air filtration , including UV-C filtration , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and self-check-out policy make those processes safest . ''
If you try to get out of town , it does n't mean you let your guard down about safety precautions and personal responsibility , say other tourism experts .
Respect the communities you are visiting and be mindful of the safety protocols in place , says Liz Bowling , a spokeswoman for North Lake Tahoe in California .
`` Consistency is key , '' she says .
`` Many destinations have created graphics , signage and advocacy campaigns to communicate mask requirements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the importance of caring for public lands . ''
North Lake Tahoe also has a Know Before You Go initiative to inform visitors of its precautions .
It shares a guide , videos and sample itineraries on its social media channels to help assure guests that businesses in North Lake Tahoe `` are working hard to stay safe and open , '' says Bowling .
Looking for the safest place to travel ?
Your behavior matters But experts say no destination can assure your safety during the second wave .
It 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a difference .
Marisa DeSalvio , a travel adviser from Washington , D.C. , tells her clients to avoid places with high community transmission rates and COVID-19 positivity rates .
She tells her customers to look for clear health guidelines and frequent testing .
But they can still travel to those places safely if they take the proper precautions .
`` Any location can be safe as long as the travelers themselves and the community they are visiting follow the correct behavior of recommended health guidelines , '' she adds .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous than others .
But it 's what you do in those places that matter more than anything .
Practice safe travel during the holidays .
Better yet , wait until the vaccine is available before going anywhere .
Mask minefield : What to do if your travel seatmate flouts the rules and wo n't mask up Tips for finding the safest places to travel during the pandemic surge Get advice from someone who 's there .
`` One of the best things you can do is find a local whose opinion you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author of the `` Savannah First-Timer 's Guide . ''
If you do n't know anyone , try looking online or connecting with a local on social media .
Clarkson runs a private Facebook group where first-time visitors can ask questions about Savannah , Georgia , for example .
Stay away from crowds .
Unless you 're in a bubble , a crowd is dangerous .
`` Outdoors is better than indoors , '' says Global Rescue CEO Dan Richards .
`` Solo trips or small group adventures with people in your bubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urban . ''
Do n't forget your escape plan .
`` Travel is inherently risky during a pandemic , '' says Ben Carothers , a flight coordinator at Global Air Ambulance .
`` But a safe destination , in my opinion , is one where it 's easy to return home in case of emergency or illness . ''
In other words , if you go for a remote place , make sure it 's not too remote .
If you get sick , you might not have an easy way home .

Christopher Elliott, Special to USA TODAY

Still traveling despite the CDC warning? Here's how to pick a safe vacation destination
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19: Here are 4 tips to help you travel safely during a pandemic The CDC has warned against traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic, but here are some ways to get you safely to new destinations. USA TODAY
Here's a trick question: Where's the safest place to travel during the pandemic surge? Is it somewhere nearby? Or a squeaky-clean destination that takes its disinfecting really seriously?
You probably already know the answer is. It's nowhere. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned against travel during the holiday season. And in a perfect world, people would stay home as the COVID-19 pandemic enters its most dangerous phase yet.
But we don't live in a perfect world.
Picking a safe destination means first eliminating the most dangerous places – the ones with high COVID-19 infection rates. Then find the destinations where you're least likely to sick. And then ask yourself: Can I afford to travel there?
How to find the safest place to travel during the pandemic surge
Some places are more dangerous than others. You can find information about your intended destination by consulting the following resources:
Which country has the most COVID-19 infections?
Check with the World Health Organization website, which keeps a running tab. America is still No. 1 – followed by India, Brazil and Russia, in case you were wondering.
Where are the infection rates high? The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center is the go-to place for that information. It publishes a map of the United States and a world map showing you where the worst COVID-19 infections are. Avoid the dark-red areas.
What will the infection rates be when I travel?
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a research center at the University of Washington, predicts infection rates. You can get a pretty good idea of whether infection rates will go up or down by studying the institute's charts. U.S. infections will be trending higher in the next few months, the institute predicts.
Which destinations are taking COVID-19 seriously?
One way to determine that is by seeing if it displays the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travels stamp to assure the destination is doing everything it can to contain the virus. Among the countries adopting these health and hygiene protocols: Croatia, Portugal, Jamaica and Bermuda.
Are remote destinations safer during the pandemic surge?
Is traveling far away from civilization the best way to avoid a COVID-19 infection? Maybe, maybe not. Talk to tourism insiders who are in remote locations, and they'll tell you that there's a little more to it.
"The safest places to stay are standalone units like cabins and cottages with outside entrances," says Lynda Paquette, a manager at Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay, a resort near Seward, Alaska. "If those units are also equipped with good air filtration, including UV-C filtration, that’s a bonus. A self-check-in and self-check-out policy make those processes safest."
COVID-19: CDC still urges Americans not to travel during holidays The CDC just sliced the recommended quarantine time in half for some cases of exposure to COVID-19. USA TODAY
If you try to get out of town, it doesn't mean you let your guard down about safety precautions and personal responsibility, say other tourism experts. Respect the communities you are visiting and be mindful of the safety protocols in place, says Liz Bowling, a spokeswoman for North Lake Tahoe in California.
"Consistency is key," she says. "Many destinations have created graphics, signage and advocacy campaigns to communicate mask requirements, safe travel tips and simple reminders about the importance of caring for public lands."
North Lake Tahoe also has a Know Before You Go initiative to inform visitors of its precautions. It shares a guide, videos and sample itineraries on its social media channels to help assure guests that businesses in North Lake Tahoe "are working hard to stay safe and open," says Bowling.
Looking for the safest place to travel? Your behavior matters
But experts say no destination can assure your safety during the second wave. It's what you do at the destination that makes a difference.
Marisa DeSalvio, a travel adviser from Washington, D.C., tells her clients to avoid places with high community transmission rates and COVID-19 positivity rates. She tells her customers to look for clear health guidelines and frequent testing. But they can still travel to those places safely if they take the proper precautions.
"Any location can be safe as long as the travelers themselves and the community they are visiting follow the correct behavior of recommended health guidelines," she adds.
That's reasonable advice. Some destinations are more dangerous than others. But it's what you do in those places that matter more than anything.
Practice safe travel during the holidays. Better yet, wait until the vaccine is available before going anywhere.
Mask minefield: What to do if your travel seatmate flouts the rules and won't mask up
Tips for finding the safest places to travel during the pandemic surge
Get advice from someone who's there. "One of the best things you can do is find a local whose opinion you trust," says Erin Clarkson, author of the "Savannah First-Timer's Guide." If you don't know anyone, try looking online or connecting with a local on social media. Clarkson runs a private Facebook group where first-time visitors can ask questions about Savannah, Georgia, for example.
Stay away from crowds. Unless you're in a bubble, a crowd is dangerous. "Outdoors is better than indoors," says Global Rescue CEO Dan Richards. "Solo trips or small group adventures with people in your bubble are best. Remote is better than urban."
Don't forget your escape plan. "Travel is inherently risky during a pandemic," says Ben Carothers, a flight coordinator at Global Air Ambulance. "But a safe destination, in my opinion, is one where it's easy to return home in case of emergency or illness." In other words, if you go for a remote place, make sure it's not too remote. If you get sick, you might not have an easy way home.


usatoday--2020-12-11--Is Hollywood finally getting the message: Representation matters | States of America

Is Hollywood finally getting the message : Representation matters | States of America Representation of minorities in the entertainment industry @ @ @ @ @ goal and oft discussed issue .
Have we reached a tipping point ?

Representation matters: Is Hollywood finally getting the message
Representation of minorities in the entertainment industry has been a long overdue goal and oft discussed issue. Have we reached a tipping point?
States of America, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-11--'Great Airman and patriot': F-16 pilot who died in crash identified as decorated combat veteran

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot who died in a plane crash in Michigan 's Upper Peninsula has been identified as Capt .
Durwood “ Hawk ” Jones , 37 , of Albuquerque .
Jones was the pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed in the Hiawatha National Forest on Tuesday evening during a routine training exercise .
A cause of the crash has not yet been determined .
Jones joined the Air National Guard in 2011 and went on to become a decorated combat veteran , having been deployed as part of a U.S. security package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2017 , respectively .
He was also deployed as part of Operation Freedom 's Sentinel in Afghanistan in 2019 , according to the Wisconsin National Guard .
Dec. 9 : F-16 jet crashes in Michigan 's Upper Peninsula during night training ; crews search for pilot He has been awarded two Air Medals in recognition of being exposed to hostile action , or under significant risk of hostile action .
He is survived by his wife and two children , according to the guard .
Before joining the military , Jones graduated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mathematics in 2005 .
In a statement Thursday , Col. Bart Van Roo , of the 115th Fighter Wing , called Jones `` a great Airman and patriot . ''
`` The loss of a member like this is a very difficult thing for such a committed group of professionals , '' Van Roo said at a press conference in Madison on Friday .
`` Our sadness over this loss will dissipate , but the scar may never heal . ''
Jones was participating in a series of nighttime training exercises with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night of his crash .
Pilots are tasked with following flight paths designed to minimize noise to residents .
Van Roo said Friday the 115th Fighter Wing has temporarily suspended its regular flying operations .
The crash was reported at about 8 p.m. Tuesday and emergency responders did not locate Jones ' body until Thursday .
At the press conference Friday , Van Roo declined to provide any details on the crash or what preceded it , citing an open investigation .
He also declined to say whether Jones ejected himself from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may take more than a year to determine the cause of the crash , Van Roo said .
In 1995 , a similar jet from Madison crashed on a wooded hilltop after its engine failed and the pilot safely ejected .
In 2011 , a pilot flying the same kind of aircraft survived after ejecting himself over Adams County during a training mission .
The aircraft was found south of New Chester after it hit an unoccupied summer cottage .

Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

'Great Airman and patriot': F-16 pilot who died in crash identified as decorated combat veteran
MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot who died in a plane crash in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has been identified as Capt. Durwood “Hawk” Jones, 37, of Albuquerque.
Jones was the pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed in the Hiawatha National Forest on Tuesday evening during a routine training exercise. A cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Jones joined the Air National Guard in 2011 and went on to become a decorated combat veteran, having been deployed as part of a U.S. security package program in Japan and Korea in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
He was also deployed as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan in 2019, according to the Wisconsin National Guard.
Dec. 10: Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot found dead after F-16 fighter jet crash
Dec. 9: F-16 jet crashes in Michigan's Upper Peninsula during night training; crews search for pilot
He has been awarded two Air Medals in recognition of being exposed to hostile action, or under significant risk of hostile action.
He is survived by his wife and two children, according to the guard.
Before joining the military, Jones graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in mathematics in 2005.
In a statement Thursday, Col. Bart Van Roo, of the 115th Fighter Wing, called Jones "a great Airman and patriot."
"The loss of a member like this is a very difficult thing for such a committed group of professionals," Van Roo said at a press conference in Madison on Friday. "Our sadness over this loss will dissipate, but the scar may never heal."
Jones was participating in a series of nighttime training exercises with the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison on the night of his crash. Pilots are tasked with following flight paths designed to minimize noise to residents.
Van Roo said Friday the 115th Fighter Wing has temporarily suspended its regular flying operations.
The crash was reported at about 8 p.m. Tuesday and emergency responders did not locate Jones' body until Thursday.
At the press conference Friday, Van Roo declined to provide any details on the crash or what preceded it, citing an open investigation. He also declined to say whether Jones ejected himself from the aircraft prior to the crash.
It may take more than a year to determine the cause of the crash, Van Roo said.
In 1995, a similar jet from Madison crashed on a wooded hilltop after its engine failed and the pilot safely ejected.
In 2011, a pilot flying the same kind of aircraft survived after ejecting himself over Adams County during a training mission. The aircraft was found south of New Chester after it hit an unoccupied summer cottage.
Follow Elliot Hughes on Twitter: @elliothughes12.


usatoday--2020-12-11--'16 is a good age': Heidi Klum's daughter Leni makes modeling debut in Vogue Germany

The apple does n't fall far from the tree : Just ask Heidi Klum 's teen daughter , Leni .
With support from her supermodel mother , the 16-year-old made her modeling debut on Thursday , posing for the January/February 2021 issue of Vogue Germany alongside Klum .
The cover photo sees Klum , 47 , planting a smooch on her teen daughter 's cheek .
In another photo , the mother rests her head on her daughter 's shoulder .
`` Sixteen is a good age '' to start modeling , Klum told the magazine .
`` If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can also have an official Instagram account and show your face .
And to be allowed to start with a Vogue cover is an insane privilege . ''
Leni told the magazine that `` it was only a matter of time '' before she followed in her mom 's footsteps .
`` The first ( modeling ) offer came when I was only 12 or 13 , from a brand I liked to wear : Brandy Melville , '' the teen said .
`` At that time I begged my mother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would have been too early . ''
Klum also celebrated her daughter 's milestone on Instagram , where she shared a touching tribute to Leni written in German along with the Vogue cover .
The teen 's Vogue spread comes about a week after Klum told People TV that her daughter had an interest in her mother 's career .
“ She kind of comes ( on set ) and looks and learns not just what I do but also what all the different people are doing on a TV set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her , ” she said .
“ When you 're that age you 're still trying to figure out who you are , what you want to be and kind of see for the first time what are all these different jobs to make a TV show happen .
She does want to do what I do.
” She continued : “ Who knows , maybe in five years when I 'm not hosting the show anymore maybe it 's going to be like 'Germany 's Next Top Model ' by Leni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows ... She 's kind of playing with this idea.
” Klum has hosted the `` America 's Next Top Model '' spin-off since its inception in 2006 .
Heidi Klum says daughter , 16 , is interested in modeling : 'She 's old enough now' And she knows the realities of modeling all too well .
`` Obviously , as a mother , ( I want my ) child to do what she wants to do .
The industry is great and I love it and I 've been in it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's a lot of traveling , it 's different , '' she explained .
`` You have to be a strong person , especially as a woman you have to be very strong . ''
Klum became pregnant with Helene , nicknamed “ Leni , '' when she was dating Italian businessman Flavio Briatore , but raised her with British musician Seal after she was born .
Seal later adopted Leni , and she took his last name .
Klum also shares three biological children with Seal : daughter Lou , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johan , 14 .
The couple were together from 2005 to 2014 .

'16 is a good age': Heidi Klum's daughter Leni makes modeling debut in Vogue Germany
Show Caption Hide Caption 'AGT': Heidi Klum 'uncomfortable' after comedian calls her a 'tramp' Comedian Usama Siddiquee also joked about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, feminism and women’s voting rights in his controversial stand-up routine. USA TODAY
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree: Just ask Heidi Klum's teen daughter, Leni.
With support from her supermodel mother, the 16-year-old made her modeling debut on Thursday, posing for the January/February 2021 issue of Vogue Germany alongside Klum.
The cover photo sees Klum, 47, planting a smooch on her teen daughter's cheek. In another photo, the mother rests her head on her daughter's shoulder.
"Sixteen is a good age" to start modeling, Klum told the magazine. "If you are allowed to drive a car, you can also have an official Instagram account and show your face. And to be allowed to start with a Vogue cover is an insane privilege."
Leni told the magazine that "it was only a matter of time" before she followed in her mom's footsteps.
"The first (modeling) offer came when I was only 12 or 13, from a brand I liked to wear: Brandy Melville," the teen said. "At that time I begged my mother, but no chance. Now I understand that it would have been too early."
Klum also celebrated her daughter's milestone on Instagram, where she shared a touching tribute to Leni written in German along with the Vogue cover.
The teen's Vogue spread comes about a week after Klum told People TV that her daughter had an interest in her mother's career.
“She kind of comes (on set) and looks and learns not just what I do but also what all the different people are doing on a TV set. I think it's very interesting to her,” she said. “When you're that age you're still trying to figure out who you are, what you want to be and kind of see for the first time what are all these different jobs to make a TV show happen. She does want to do what I do.”
She continued: “Who knows, maybe in five years when I'm not hosting the show anymore maybe it's going to be like 'Germany's Next Top Model' by Leni Klum instead of Heidi Klum. Who knows... She's kind of playing with this idea.”
Klum has hosted the "America's Next Top Model" spin-off since its inception in 2006.
Heidi Klum says daughter, 16, is interested in modeling: 'She's old enough now'
And she knows the realities of modeling all too well.
"Obviously, as a mother, (I want my) child to do what she wants to do. The industry is great and I love it and I've been in it for over 20 years but it's also, it's a lot of traveling, it's different," she explained. "You have to be a strong person, especially as a woman you have to be very strong."
Klum became pregnant with Helene, nicknamed “Leni," when she was dating Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, but raised her with British musician Seal after she was born. Seal later adopted Leni, and she took his last name.
Klum also shares three biological children with Seal: daughter Lou, 11 and sons Henry, 15 and Johan, 14. The couple were together from 2005 to 2014.
Heidi Klum debuts her 2020 Halloween costumes: See exclusive, behind-the-scenes photos
Contributing: Sara M Moniuszko


usatoday--2020-12-12--No-show prison workers cost Mississippi taxpayers millions

When Darrell Adams showed up for an overnight shift at the Marshall County Correctional Facility in rural Mississippi , he was one of six officers guarding about 1,000 prisoners .
Adams said he thought that was normal ; only half-a-dozen guards had been turning up each night during the three months he ’ d worked at the prison , which is run by Management & Training Corporation .
He didn ’ t know the state ’ s contract with MTC required at least 19 officers .
On April 3 , 2019 , Adams escorted a nurse to deliver medicine in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were held in solitary confinement .
The contract required a sergeant and an officer to be there at all times .
But that night , Adams and the nurse said , he was the sole guard working the unit , and was also covering for six absent officers in three other buildings .
More : Modern day debtors prison ?
Mississippi makes people work to pay off debt As Adams was leaving the unit , a prisoner slipped out of his cell , sneaked up behind Adams and smashed his head into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watched in horror , the prisoner dragged Adams inside the cell block , shut the door and beat him unconscious .
Prisons across the country , both public and private , are struggling with staff shortages .
But the circumstances that led to the attack on Adams illustrate a perverse financial incentive unique to private prisons : While fewer workers means more danger for staff and incarcerated people , it can create more profit for companies like MTC .
This problem is acute in Mississippi , where state officials failed to enforce contractual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they continued to pay MTC the salaries of absent employees , aka ghost workers .
By contract , MTC must have a set number of guards on every shift at its three Mississippi prisons .
When a mandatory position isn ’ t filled , the company is supposed to repay the state the wages plus a 25 percent penalty .
At the prison where Adams was attacked , the company paid some refunds to the state for several years .
But MTC invoices show those repayments dropped from more than $ 700,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , even as the staff vacancy rate rose .
In the company ’ s two other Mississippi prisons , MTC didn ’ t repay a penny from 2013 to 2019 , despite understaffing , allowing the company to pocket millions of taxpayers ’ dollars for ghost workers ’ pay , according to records analyzed by The Marshall Project .
Other states have forced MTC and other prison companies to pay back millions of dollars for vacant positions and other contractual violations .
Some came to light after riots , escapes , murders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company ’ s staffing shortfalls .
Neither MTC nor state officials would discuss how much the company owes for unfilled shifts .
To estimate that amount , The Marshall Project obtained the company ’ s monthly invoices through public records requests , as well as data on vacant positions MTC submitted to the state from 2013 to 2019 .
Our analysis showed that MTC should have repaid about : MTC spokesman Issa Arnita declined to address our analysis .
He attributed staff shortages to low pay resulting from a state law that requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to operate than public facilities , as well as the small labor pools near the rural prisons .
“ Attempting to make a connection between staff shortages and profit is reckless and wrong , ” Arnita said .
“ Our goal is always to have all vacancies filled.
” After eight years of contracting with MTC , the Mississippi Department of Corrections said that in recent months it began withholding payments from the company for failing to meet staffing requirements .
Commissioner of Corrections Burl Cain declined an interview request .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withheld $ 208,000 from MTC for unfilled positions since he took office in June .
Although MTC is the nation ’ s third-largest private prison company , it lacks the high public profile and notoriety of its larger publicly traded rivals , CoreCivic and GEO Group .
Based in Centerville , Utah , MTC is privately owned and run by a prominent Utah family , the Marquardts .
Through the company spokesman , members of the family declined to comment .
Created to seek contracts to operate federal job training centers , MTC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company now runs 20 prisons in the United States and two overseas , as well as five immigrant detention facilities .
Dun & Bradstreet reports the company had annual revenues of $ 667 million .
MTC has a long history of failing to meet contractual obligations in its prisons , in some cases with violent consequences .
In 2006 , the company built what was then the nation ’ s largest immigration detention facility north of Brownsville , Texas .
It was understaffed , according to lawyers and human rights groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and nutrition , as well as allegations of physical and sexual abuse of detainees .
MTC ’ s spokesman said those claims were “ not true and were never substantiated.
” The federal government closed the facility in 2015 after prisoners seized control for two days and set it on fire , leading the government to declare it “ uninhabitable.
” A similar situation unfolded at the Kingman prison in Arizona , which MTC was hired to run in 2004 .
Two years later , prison officials said MTC ’ s understaffing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Kingman wasn ’ t fully revealed until 2010 , when a group of prisoners escaped and carjacked and murdered a retired couple .
State investigators blamed a broken alarm system , unsecured doors , and untrained staff .
Arizona prison officials levied nearly $ 2 million in fines between 2006 and 2013 for understaffing .
Still , the deficiencies remained .
In 2015 , a three-day riot broke out ; 16 people were injured and the facility was badly damaged .
State officials described “ a culture of disorganization , disengagement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the governor cancelled MTC ’ s contract .
The company disputes the state ’ s findings .
In Mississippi , MTC understaffing was an issue at a 2018 trial after civil rights groups sued over bad prison conditions .
The corrections commissioner at the time , Pelicia Hall , took the witness stand and was asked whether MTC had repaid the state for ghost workers .
“ I am not aware of that , ” Hall testified .
She did not respond to messages from The Marshall Project .
Even after that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials failed to impose financial penalties on MTC as low staffing made its prisons increasingly dangerous .
Wilkinson , a high-security prison for 950 men , was so violent and understaffed that its then-warden admitted in a 2018 internal audit that he had ceded control to prison gangs .
Yet MTC invoices show the company refunded nothing to the state for vacant positions at Wilkinson between 2013 and 2019 .
The state paid MTC $ 87 million to run the prison over this period .
Investigation : Mississippi prisons ' a ticking time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ?
Who 's at fault ?
In the internal audit , MTC noted that Wilkinson routinely failed to fill two or three mandatory positions every shift .
The overnight shift was the worst : A dozen officers have told The Marshall Project that it was common for five or six guards to run the prison when the contract called for a minimum of 30 overnight .
Markus Chatman , 31 , had been working at Wilkinson for two months when he was stabbed in May of 2019 in the prison ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coworkers were escorting men to and from the showers one afternoon when a prisoner pulled out a shank and demanded his keys .
Chatman says the other two officers fled as he struggled with the prisoner , who stabbed him in the back and collarbone and sliced his arm .
He estimated only a dozen guards had shown up to work the day he was attacked ; the contract requires 43 officers on the day shift .
Chatman returned to work but quit a few weeks later .
The prison is “ very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fail to show up for shifts so often , he said , “ you wouldn ’ t believe they still had a job there , ” he said .
MTC did not respond to questions about Chatman ’ s assertions .
It ’ s difficult to put an exact dollar amount on how much MTC owes the state for ghost workers .
The Marshall Project ’ s estimate is conservative and based on MTC invoices and monthly vacancy reports .
A former manager said Wilkinson undoubtedly owed the state more than The Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
More precise numbers could have been found in shift rosters filed with the state , but Mississippi officials denied The Marshall Project ’ s public records request for those documents .
Payroll data would be even more exact , but those records are not public because they are maintained by MTC .
Employee pay is the single biggest cost of running a prison .
MTC went to court to try to redact staffing patterns from contracts that have been posted for years on the website transparency.mississippi.gov .
The Marshall Project is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials responsible for monitoring the prisons ; the corrections department had agreed to provide these records until MTC intervened , citing security concerns .
“ Private prison companies are always trying to minimize their operating costs , because that is how they increase their margins and revenue , ” said Shahrzad Habibi , research and policy director of In the Public Interest , which opposes privatization of public services .
Habibi has analyzed dozens of private prison contracts nationwide , and says understaffing and paying subpar wages are common ways to increase profits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could actually be reinvested in the system to make it better , ” she said .
At the Marshall prison , short staffing eroded medical care , according to Dr. Amy Woods , who according to court records fought with prison officials when they refused to take injured prisoners to the hospital for appropriate medical care .
Woods worked for Centurion , a private health care provider hired by the corrections department .
She declined to speak with The Marshall Project , but her story is detailed in the federal employment lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the warden after she was pushed out last year .
MTC declined to discuss the case .
Woods ’ suit said that in April 2019 , the warden delayed her order to take a prisoner who said he was raped to a hospital for evaluation , even though DNA evidence must be collected as soon as possible .
Two months later , a nurse told Woods that a prisoner bit off a big chunk of another man ’ s ear , according to Woods ’ lawsuit .
Fearing the victim could bleed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to the local hospital .
The emergency doctor said the injury was too severe to be treated there , and urged Woods to transfer the man to a medical center in Jackson , the state capital .
In-depth coverage : Not enough guards , too many inmates : Mississippi prisons a perilous place to work Woods agreed , the lawsuit says .
But a prison captain told Woods that there were not enough guards available and ordered the man returned to prison .
Woods recalled her reply : “ If his ear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's going to be you and not me.
” Prison officials eventually relented and sent the man to Jackson late that afternoon .
Two days after that incident , the warden accused Woods of disclosing the short staffing problems to a local legislator who chaired the House Corrections Committee , her lawsuit says .
Woods denied it .
That legislator was state Rep. Bill Kinkade , who testified in a deposition in Woods ’ case that a different prison employee had complained that the extreme short staffing made Marshall dangerous for staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his concerns to top state corrections officials , but the short staffing continued .
The warden revoked Woods ’ security clearance , effectively firing her , even though she worked for Centurion .
Kinkade , the warden , and MTC declined to comment on Woods ' case , which is scheduled for trial in January .
Centurion did not respond to requests for comment .
For those who work at MTC prisons , the consequences of the short staffing can be permanent .
Adams , the corrections officer beaten at Marshall last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being attacked .
He slipped in and out of consciousness as he was put on a helicopter and flown to a trauma center in Memphis , where doctors diagnosed traumatic brain injury , he said .
Surgeons used six slim metal strips to wire together his shattered eye socket , cheek and jaw .
Adams never returned to Marshall .
He drives a tow truck now .
He says that throbbing pain in his cheek reminds him daily of his three months as a correctional officer .
“ I really want somebody to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this prison really dropped the ball , ” he said .
“ I should have never been there by myself.
” This investigation was published in partnership with The Marshall Project , a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system , Mississippi Today and Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting .

By Joseph Neff and Alysia Santo, The Marshall Project

When Darrell Adams showed up for an overnight shift at the Marshall County Correctional Facility in rural Mississippi, he was one of six officers guarding about 1,000 prisoners.
Adams said he thought that was normal; only half-a-dozen guards had been turning up each night during the three months he’d worked at the prison, which is run by Management & Training Corporation. He didn’t know the state’s contract with MTC required at least 19 officers.
On April 3, 2019, Adams escorted a nurse to deliver medicine in a unit where the most dangerous prisoners were held in solitary confinement. The contract required a sergeant and an officer to be there at all times. But that night, Adams and the nurse said, he was the sole guard working the unit, and was also covering for six absent officers in three other buildings.
More: Modern day debtors prison? Mississippi makes people work to pay off debt
As Adams was leaving the unit, a prisoner slipped out of his cell, sneaked up behind Adams and smashed his head into the steel door frame. As the nurse watched in horror, the prisoner dragged Adams inside the cell block, shut the door and beat him unconscious.
Prisoners, guards face danger from chronic understaffing by private prison company Darrell Adams was working the overnight shift at the understaffed Marshall County Correctional Facility in Holly Springs, Miss., when he was beaten unconscious by a prisoner in 2019. Courtesy of Darrell Adams
Danger for people, profit for companies
Prisons across the country, both public and private, are struggling with staff shortages. But the circumstances that led to the attack on Adams illustrate a perverse financial incentive unique to private prisons: While fewer workers means more danger for staff and incarcerated people, it can create more profit for companies like MTC.
Closer Look: Gangs powerful in Mississippi's privately run prisons
This problem is acute in Mississippi, where state officials failed to enforce contractual penalties that punish short staffing. Instead, they continued to pay MTC the salaries of absent employees, aka ghost workers.
A prisoner shattered Darrell Adams’ eye socket, cheek and jaw in a beating in April 2019. Adams has since left his job at Marshall County Correctional Facility. Andrea Morales for The Marshall Project
By contract, MTC must have a set number of guards on every shift at its three Mississippi prisons. When a mandatory position isn’t filled, the company is supposed to repay the state the wages plus a 25 percent penalty. At the prison where Adams was attacked, the company paid some refunds to the state for several years. But MTC invoices show those repayments dropped from more than $700,000 in 2017 to only $23,000 in 2018, even as the staff vacancy rate rose.
In the company’s two other Mississippi prisons, MTC didn’t repay a penny from 2013 to 2019, despite understaffing, allowing the company to pocket millions of taxpayers’ dollars for ghost workers’ pay, according to records analyzed by The Marshall Project.
Other states have forced MTC and other prison companies to pay back millions of dollars for vacant positions and other contractual violations. Some came to light after riots, escapes, murders and sexual assaults drew attention to the company’s staffing shortfalls.
Neither MTC nor state officials would discuss how much the company owes for unfilled shifts. To estimate that amount, The Marshall Project obtained the company’s monthly invoices through public records requests, as well as data on vacant positions MTC submitted to the state from 2013 to 2019. Our analysis showed that MTC should have repaid about :
$6 million at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
$950,000 at East Mississippi Correctional Facility
$800,000 at Marshall
MTC spokesman Issa Arnita declined to address our analysis. He attributed staff shortages to low pay resulting from a state law that requires private prisons to cost 10 percent less to operate than public facilities, as well as the small labor pools near the rural prisons.
“Attempting to make a connection between staff shortages and profit is reckless and wrong,” Arnita said. “Our goal is always to have all vacancies filled.”
Timeline: 180 years of Mississippi prison history
After eight years of contracting with MTC, the Mississippi Department of Corrections said that in recent months it began withholding payments from the company for failing to meet staffing requirements. Commissioner of Corrections Burl Cain declined an interview request.
In a statement, he said his department has withheld $208,000 from MTC for unfilled positions since he took office in June.
Long history of failing to meet obligations
Although MTC is the nation’s third-largest private prison company, it lacks the high public profile and notoriety of its larger publicly traded rivals, CoreCivic and GEO Group.
Based in Centerville, Utah, MTC is privately owned and run by a prominent Utah family, the Marquardts. Through the company spokesman, members of the family declined to comment.
Created to seek contracts to operate federal job training centers, MTC expanded into private prisons in 1987. The company now runs 20 prisons in the United States and two overseas, as well as five immigrant detention facilities. Dun & Bradstreet reports the company had annual revenues of $667 million.
MTC has a long history of failing to meet contractual obligations in its prisons, in some cases with violent consequences.
In 2006, the company built what was then the nation’s largest immigration detention facility north of Brownsville, Texas. It was understaffed, according to lawyers and human rights groups, and there were complaints of poor medical care and nutrition, as well as allegations of physical and sexual abuse of detainees. MTC’s spokesman said those claims were “not true and were never substantiated.” The federal government closed the facility in 2015 after prisoners seized control for two days and set it on fire, leading the government to declare it “uninhabitable.”
A similar situation unfolded at the Kingman prison in Arizona, which MTC was hired to run in 2004. Two years later, prison officials said MTC’s understaffing violated its contract. But the dysfunction at Kingman wasn’t fully revealed until 2010, when a group of prisoners escaped and carjacked and murdered a retired couple. State investigators blamed a broken alarm system, unsecured doors, and untrained staff.
Arizona prison officials levied nearly $2 million in fines between 2006 and 2013 for understaffing. Still, the deficiencies remained. In 2015, a three-day riot broke out; 16 people were injured and the facility was badly damaged. State officials described “a culture of disorganization, disengagement, and disregard,” and soon after, the governor cancelled MTC’s contract. The company disputes the state’s findings.
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In Mississippi, MTC understaffing was an issue at a 2018 trial after civil rights groups sued over bad prison conditions. The corrections commissioner at the time, Pelicia Hall, took the witness stand and was asked whether MTC had repaid the state for ghost workers.
“I am not aware of that,” Hall testified. She did not respond to messages from The Marshall Project.
Even after that court appearance, Hall and other prison officials failed to impose financial penalties on MTC as low staffing made its prisons increasingly dangerous.
Wilkinson, a high-security prison for 950 men, was so violent and understaffed that its then-warden admitted in a 2018 internal audit that he had ceded control to prison gangs. Yet MTC invoices show the company refunded nothing to the state for vacant positions at Wilkinson between 2013 and 2019. The state paid MTC $87 million to run the prison over this period.
Investigation: Mississippi prisons 'a ticking time bomb': How did we get here? Who's at fault?
In the internal audit, MTC noted that Wilkinson routinely failed to fill two or three mandatory positions every shift. The overnight shift was the worst: A dozen officers have told The Marshall Project that it was common for five or six guards to run the prison when the contract called for a minimum of 30 overnight.
Markus Chatman, 31, had been working at Wilkinson for two months when he was stabbed in May of 2019 in the prison’s most dangerous unit.
He and his coworkers were escorting men to and from the showers one afternoon when a prisoner pulled out a shank and demanded his keys. Chatman says the other two officers fled as he struggled with the prisoner, who stabbed him in the back and collarbone and sliced his arm. He estimated only a dozen guards had shown up to work the day he was attacked; the contract requires 43 officers on the day shift.
Chatman returned to work but quit a few weeks later. The prison is “very understaffed,” he said. People fail to show up for shifts so often, he said, “you wouldn’t believe they still had a job there,” he said.
MTC did not respond to questions about Chatman’s assertions.
It’s difficult to put an exact dollar amount on how much MTC owes the state for ghost workers. The Marshall Project’s estimate is conservative and based on MTC invoices and monthly vacancy reports. A former manager said Wilkinson undoubtedly owed the state more than The Marshall Project’s estimate of $6 million.
More precise numbers could have been found in shift rosters filed with the state, but Mississippi officials denied The Marshall Project’s public records request for those documents. Payroll data would be even more exact, but those records are not public because they are maintained by MTC. Employee pay is the single biggest cost of running a prison.
MTC went to court to try to redact staffing patterns from contracts that have been posted for years on the website transparency.mississippi.gov. The Marshall Project is suing to obtain weekly reports from state officials responsible for monitoring the prisons; the corrections department had agreed to provide these records until MTC intervened, citing security concerns.
“Private prison companies are always trying to minimize their operating costs, because that is how they increase their margins and revenue,” said Shahrzad Habibi, research and policy director of In the Public Interest, which opposes privatization of public services. Habibi has analyzed dozens of private prison contracts nationwide, and says understaffing and paying subpar wages are common ways to increase profits.
“That’s taxpayer money that could actually be reinvested in the system to make it better,” she said.
Eroding safety, medical care
At the Marshall prison, short staffing eroded medical care, according to Dr. Amy Woods, who according to court records fought with prison officials when they refused to take injured prisoners to the hospital for appropriate medical care.
Woods worked for Centurion, a private health care provider hired by the corrections department. She declined to speak with The Marshall Project, but her story is detailed in the federal employment lawsuit she filed against MTC, Centurion, and the warden after she was pushed out last year. MTC declined to discuss the case.
Woods’ suit said that in April 2019, the warden delayed her order to take a prisoner who said he was raped to a hospital for evaluation, even though DNA evidence must be collected as soon as possible.
Two months later, a nurse told Woods that a prisoner bit off a big chunk of another man’s ear, according to Woods’ lawsuit. Fearing the victim could bleed to death, Woods ordered he be taken to the local hospital. The emergency doctor said the injury was too severe to be treated there, and urged Woods to transfer the man to a medical center in Jackson, the state capital.
Support nonprofit journalism about criminal justice by donating to The Marshall Project Donate here
In-depth coverage: Not enough guards, too many inmates: Mississippi prisons a perilous place to work
Woods agreed, the lawsuit says. But a prison captain told Woods that there were not enough guards available and ordered the man returned to prison. Woods recalled her reply: “If his ear rots off and he sues someone, it's going to be you and not me.” Prison officials eventually relented and sent the man to Jackson late that afternoon.
Two days after that incident, the warden accused Woods of disclosing the short staffing problems to a local legislator who chaired the House Corrections Committee, her lawsuit says. Woods denied it.
That legislator was state Rep. Bill Kinkade, who testified in a deposition in Woods’ case that a different prison employee had complained that the extreme short staffing made Marshall dangerous for staff and prisoners. Kinkade said he took his concerns to top state corrections officials, but the short staffing continued.
The warden revoked Woods’ security clearance, effectively firing her, even though she worked for Centurion. Kinkade, the warden, and MTC declined to comment on Woods' case, which is scheduled for trial in January. Centurion did not respond to requests for comment.
Darrell Adams was working the overnight shift at the understaffed Marshall County Correctional Facility in Holly Springs, Miss., when he was beaten unconscious by a prisoner in 2019. Andrea Morales for The Marshall Project
For those who work at MTC prisons, the consequences of the short staffing can be permanent. Adams, the corrections officer beaten at Marshall last year, said he doesn’t remember being attacked. He slipped in and out of consciousness as he was put on a helicopter and flown to a trauma center in Memphis, where doctors diagnosed traumatic brain injury, he said. Surgeons used six slim metal strips to wire together his shattered eye socket, cheek and jaw.
Adams never returned to Marshall. He drives a tow truck now. He says that throbbing pain in his cheek reminds him daily of his three months as a correctional officer.
“I really want somebody to crack down on this prison, because this prison really dropped the ball,” he said. “I should have never been there by myself.”
This investigation was published in partnership with The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system, Mississippi Today and Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting.


usatoday--2020-12-11--Jerry Harris of 'Cheer' facing additional charges in sexual misconduct investigation

Prosecutors filed additional charges Thursday against celebrity cheerleader Jerry Harris , who was arrested by the FBI in September and charged with sexual exploitation of children after he was investigated for soliciting photos and sex from minors .
On Thursday , seven counts regarding five minors were handed down in the case of 21-year-old Harris , made famous earlier this year from his prominent role Netflix 's docuseries `` Cheer . ''
Harris was charged with receiving and attempting to receive child pornography and four counts of using , persuading , inducing , and enticing a minor `` to engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of producing a visual depiction of such conduct , and … transmitting a live visual depiction of such conduct . ''
The acts allegedly took place in Naperville , Illinois , and Corsicana , Texas .
He also was charged with one count of using the internet in Orlando , Florida , to `` persuade , induce , and entice '' one of the minors to engage in sexual activity .
Harris allegedly traveled from Texas to Florida `` for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct … with intent to engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was 15 years old , '' at least four years younger than Harris at the time .
USA TODAY has reached out to Harris ' attorney , Todd Pugh , for comment .
According to federal court records , Harris previously admitted to agents that he solicited and received explicit messages on Snapchat from at least 10 to 15 individuals he knew were minors , had sex with a 15-year-old at a cheerleading competition in 2019 and paid a 17-year-old money in exchange for nude photos .
“ We are grateful that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to investigate this case , locate additional victims and take action , '' said Sarah Klein , one of the attorneys representing the Texas family who reported the allegations to the FBI , in a statement Friday .
`` This was made possible because our clients ’ mother initially had the courage to report Harris to the FBI and provided evidentiary proof of the manipulation , sexual harassment , abuse , and exploitation that her sons had suffered .
We urge the authorities to undertake a thorough investigation of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cheer Athletics to determine which of their executives , employees , and representatives could have stopped Harris ’ abuse and failed to do so.
” Harris remains in federal custody while awaiting trial .
U.S. District Court Judge Heather McShain made the ruling to keep Harris behind bars on Oct. 16 , saying Harris lacks control over his urges and poses `` a significant danger to the community . ''
If convicted , he faces 15 to 30 years in federal prison .
Previously : Jerry Harris from 'Cheer ' charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicit photos from minors , court records show The initial criminal investigation was based on allegations brought by twin brothers , then 14 .
In interviews with USA TODAY , the boys described a pattern of harassment , both online and at cheer competitions , that started when they were 13 and Harris was 19 .
They said it continued for more than a year .
On Sept. 17 , the FBI executed a search warrant at Harris ' Naperville home , outside Chicago .
Agents have interviewed other minors since then about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show .
The family 's civil lawsuit had originally been filed in September against Harris , Cheer Athletics , Varsity and U.S. All Star Federation ( USASF ) , court records show .
In it , the family accuses Harris of sexual misconduct and the cheer organizations of negligence and failures to protect the boys from abuse .
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Parente , in a court motion filed in October making his case for keeping Harris behind bars , said a friend contacted Harris about a potential investigation .
Parente did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the friend or say why that individual `` tipped off '' Harris .
He said Harris told authorities he got rid of his cellphone because he knew it contained evidence of his crimes .
The prosecutor said that even after being warned in May , Harris purchased a new phone and kept preying on kids .
Netflix 's `` Cheer '' docuseries , which debuted Jan. 8 , followed a national champion cheerleading team at a small-town Texas junior college .
Harris became a fan favorite for his unwavering positivity , despite his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ darling in the months after the show went viral , won a Critics ' Choice Award for male star of the year , served as Ellen DeGeneres ' Oscars correspondent and scored an invite to the coveted Vanity Fair Oscars party .
`` My heart is shattered into a million pieces , '' Coach Monica Aldama , who competed in the latest season of `` Dancing with the Stars , '' shared in a post to Instagram in September after Harris ' news broke .
`` I am devastated by this shocking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected from abuse and exploitation , and I 'm praying hard for the victims and everyone affected .
Please respect our privacy as our family mourns during this heartbreaking time . ''
Original story : Jerry Harris from ‘ Cheer ’ under FBI investigation for allegedly soliciting sex from minors

Hannah Yasharoff and Anika Reed, USA TODAY

Jerry Harris of 'Cheer' facing additional charges in sexual misconduct investigation
Show Caption Hide Caption Jerry Harris of 'Cheer' sentenced for sex crimes, survivors share story The FBI arrested Jerry Harris after investigating reports made to police by two 14-year-old boys who claim Netflix "Cheer" star solicited explicit photos and sex. Sandy Hooper and Alexis Arnold, USA TODAY
Prosecutors filed additional charges Thursday against celebrity cheerleader Jerry Harris, who was arrested by the FBI in September and charged with sexual exploitation of children after he was investigated for soliciting photos and sex from minors.
On Thursday, seven counts regarding five minors were handed down in the case of 21-year-old Harris, made famous earlier this year from his prominent role Netflix's docuseries "Cheer."
Harris was charged with receiving and attempting to receive child pornography and four counts of using, persuading, inducing, and enticing a minor "to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and … transmitting a live visual depiction of such conduct." The acts allegedly took place in Naperville, Illinois, and Corsicana, Texas.
He also was charged with one count of using the internet in Orlando, Florida, to "persuade, induce, and entice" one of the minors to engage in sexual activity.
Harris allegedly traveled from Texas to Florida "for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct … with intent to engage in a sexual act with Minor 5 who was 15 years old," at least four years younger than Harris at the time.
USA TODAY has reached out to Harris' attorney, Todd Pugh, for comment.
According to federal court records, Harris previously admitted to agents that he solicited and received explicit messages on Snapchat from at least 10 to 15 individuals he knew were minors, had sex with a 15-year-old at a cheerleading competition in 2019 and paid a 17-year-old money in exchange for nude photos.
“We are grateful that the U.S. Attorney and the FBI have continued to investigate this case, locate additional victims and take action," said Sarah Klein, one of the attorneys representing the Texas family who reported the allegations to the FBI, in a statement Friday. "This was made possible because our clients’ mother initially had the courage to report Harris to the FBI and provided evidentiary proof of the manipulation, sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation that her sons had suffered. We urge the authorities to undertake a thorough investigation of the United States All Star Federation, Varsity Spirit, and Cheer Athletics to determine which of their executives, employees, and representatives could have stopped Harris’ abuse and failed to do so.”
Harris remains in federal custody while awaiting trial. U.S. District Court Judge Heather McShain made the ruling to keep Harris behind bars on Oct. 16, saying Harris lacks control over his urges and poses "a significant danger to the community." If convicted, he faces 15 to 30 years in federal prison.
Previously: Jerry Harris from 'Cheer' charged with producing child porn. He admitted receiving explicit photos from minors, court records show
The initial criminal investigation was based on allegations brought by twin brothers, then 14. In interviews with USA TODAY, the boys described a pattern of harassment, both online and at cheer competitions, that started when they were 13 and Harris was 19. They said it continued for more than a year. On Sept. 17, the FBI executed a search warrant at Harris' Naperville home, outside Chicago. Agents have interviewed other minors since then about their interactions with Harris, court records show.
The family's civil lawsuit had originally been filed in September against Harris, Cheer Athletics, Varsity and U.S. All Star Federation (USASF), court records show. In it, the family accuses Harris of sexual misconduct and the cheer organizations of negligence and failures to protect the boys from abuse.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Parente, in a court motion filed in October making his case for keeping Harris behind bars, said a friend contacted Harris about a potential investigation. Parente did not provide the court with the name of the friend or say why that individual "tipped off" Harris. He said Harris told authorities he got rid of his cellphone because he knew it contained evidence of his crimes. The prosecutor said that even after being warned in May, Harris purchased a new phone and kept preying on kids.
Netflix's "Cheer" docuseries, which debuted Jan. 8, followed a national champion cheerleading team at a small-town Texas junior college. Harris became a fan favorite for his unwavering positivity, despite his difficult childhood. He was a talk-show darling in the months after the show went viral, won a Critics' Choice Award for male star of the year, served as Ellen DeGeneres' Oscars correspondent and scored an invite to the coveted Vanity Fair Oscars party.
"My heart is shattered into a million pieces," Coach Monica Aldama, who competed in the latest season of "Dancing with the Stars," shared in a post to Instagram in September after Harris' news broke.
"I am devastated by this shocking, unexpected news. Our children must be protected from abuse and exploitation, and I'm praying hard for the victims and everyone affected. Please respect our privacy as our family mourns during this heartbreaking time."
Contributing: Marisa Kwiatkowski and Tricia L. Nadolny, USA TODAY
Original story: Jerry Harris from ‘Cheer’ under FBI investigation for allegedly soliciting sex from minors


usatoday--2020-12-12--Man arrested in fatal shooting of 26-year-old ICU nurse who was driving to work

NASHVILLE – A tip from a concerned citizen provided a pivotal break Friday in the Dec. 3 slaying of 26-year-old nurse Caitlyn Kaufman , who worked in the intensive care unit at Saint Thomas West Hospital .
At dawn , members of Metro Nashville Police Department ’ s SWAT team descended on an East Nashville apartment complex and made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a Nashville nurse who was driving to work when police say someone opened fire on her SUV .
Devaunte Lewis Hill , 21 , was taken into custody at 6:15 a.m. in Kaufman 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Hill , a Nashville native , was arrested without incident at his Porter Road home in Berkshire Place Apartments .
Hill was charged with criminal homicide in Kaufman 's evening slaying along Interstate 440 west in Nashville .
According to an arrest affidavit , on Thursday a concerned citizen told police they had information about the killing and identified Hill as the person who shot Kaufman .
It goes on to state the person also told police about the possible whereabouts of the gun used in the shooting .
No other suspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homicide Detective Christopher Dickerson told reporters Friday morning that investigators had not ruled out the possibility of more suspects or arrests .
`` I have a gamut of emotions right now , but I ’ m so relieved , '' Kaufman 's mother , Diane Kaufman , told The Tennessean by phone late Friday morning .
`` A part of me is so relieved they got him .
I just get chills every time I think about it . ''
' A courageous health care hero':26-year-old ICU nurse shot and killed on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out an arrest warrant early Friday morning after getting the tip from the concerned citizen .
The unidentified person also provided information about a gun that police later matched to three 9 mm shell casings found at the crime scene .
Investigators said data from Hill 's cell phone provider placed his phone in the I-440 area at the time of the shooting .
Dickerson said Hill consented to an interview after he was taken into custody and implicated himself in the slaying .
He did not elaborate on what Hill told police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stranger to Kaufman .
`` I can confirm they did not know each other , '' Dickerson told reporters during a news conference at MNPD headquarters .
As of Friday , a motive in the killing had not been released publicly .
`` While it was a relief to be able to sign the arrest warrant , it was an exceptional relief to be able to call Diane Kaufman , who is back in Pennsylvania right now , '' Dickerson said .
`` She said that she was able to get some closure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glad to be in the position we are this morning . ''
Drake said a reward for information that grew to over $ 65,000 after the shooting may have helped encourage people to report tips .
“ I understand many of the persons involved in the rewards are dads who have families in Nashville and love Nashville deeply , and I thank them for their contribution , '' Drake said .
'My family will forever be grateful' '' If it weren ’ t for the generosity of the Nashville community I fear it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Diane Kaufman told The Tennessean .
`` My family will forever be grateful to them , and Detective Dickerson , Chief Drake and Don Aaron .
I think I ’ m still in shock .
I was in shock with the shooting , but now I ’ m in shock with the arrest .
I ’ m just so thankful . ''
After the slaying , Kaufman 's mother traveled to Nashville from the family 's hometown in Western Pennsylvania to meet with detectives and plead with the public for help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Please help me find out who did this to my daughter , '' she said Monday afternoon .
`` I need closure .
Caitlyn was selfless ... .
She had a contagious laugh .
She had beautiful blue eyes , a heart of gold . ''
Kaufman was hired in 2018 at Saint Thomas West Hospital , where most recently her mother said she worked the midnight shift .
Police spokesman Don Aaron said homicide detectives have been working the case relentlessly since Kaufman died .
Detectives believe the shooting happened sometime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on her way to work for a shift that began at 7 p.m. Police say the person who killed her fired at least six shots fired into her Mazda CX-5 SUV .
Just before 9 p.m. , a Metro Parks officer said he saw her SUV on the right shoulder of I-440 in between the West End Avenue and Hillsboro Road exits .
The vehicle was against the guard rail so police said he stopped , thinking he 'd come upon a single-car crash .
A medical examiner determined a single bullet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died within seconds of being hit .
Online records show Hill was booked into the Davidson County Jail just before 9:30 a.m. and was being held without bond .
Police said Hill has a criminal history but would not elaborate .
Saint Thomas West Hospital released a statement after learning of Hill being charged .
`` We are hopeful that justice for Caitlyn 's family will be served following the announcement that a suspect has been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation , '' the statement reads .
`` Those who knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindness she showed for each person she cared for and worked alongside . ''
A memorial service for Kaufman is set in her hometown for 7 p.m. Saturday .
Follow Natalie Neysa Alund and Rachel Wegner on Twitter : @ nataliealund and @ rachelannwegner

Natalie Neysa Alund and Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean

Man arrested in fatal shooting of 26-year-old ICU nurse who was driving to work
NASHVILLE – A tip from a concerned citizen provided a pivotal break Friday in the Dec. 3 slaying of 26-year-old nurse Caitlyn Kaufman, who worked in the intensive care unit at Saint Thomas West Hospital.
At dawn, members of Metro Nashville Police Department’s SWAT team descended on an East Nashville apartment complex and made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a Nashville nurse who was driving to work when police say someone opened fire on her SUV.
Devaunte Lewis Hill, 21, was taken into custody at 6:15 a.m. in Kaufman's death.
Nashville police Chief John Drake said Hill, a Nashville native, was arrested without incident at his Porter Road home in Berkshire Place Apartments. Hill was charged with criminal homicide in Kaufman's evening slaying along Interstate 440 west in Nashville.
According to an arrest affidavit, on Thursday a concerned citizen told police they had information about the killing and identified Hill as the person who shot Kaufman. It goes on to state the person also told police about the possible whereabouts of the gun used in the shooting.
No other suspects have been named in the case. Homicide Detective Christopher Dickerson told reporters Friday morning that investigators had not ruled out the possibility of more suspects or arrests.
"I have a gamut of emotions right now, but I’m so relieved," Kaufman's mother, Diane Kaufman, told The Tennessean by phone late Friday morning. "A part of me is so relieved they got him. I just get chills every time I think about it."
'A courageous health care hero': 26-year-old ICU nurse shot and killed on her way to work
Dickerson said he swore out an arrest warrant early Friday morning after getting the tip from the concerned citizen. The unidentified person also provided information about a gun that police later matched to three 9 mm shell casings found at the crime scene.
Investigators said data from Hill's cell phone provider placed his phone in the I-440 area at the time of the shooting.
Dickerson said Hill consented to an interview after he was taken into custody and implicated himself in the slaying. He did not elaborate on what Hill told police.
The detective said Hill was a stranger to Kaufman.
"I can confirm they did not know each other," Dickerson told reporters during a news conference at MNPD headquarters.
As of Friday, a motive in the killing had not been released publicly.
"While it was a relief to be able to sign the arrest warrant, it was an exceptional relief to be able to call Diane Kaufman, who is back in Pennsylvania right now," Dickerson said. "She said that she was able to get some closure before the funeral. I’m glad to be in the position we are this morning."
Drake said a reward for information that grew to over $65,000 after the shooting may have helped encourage people to report tips.
“I understand many of the persons involved in the rewards are dads who have families in Nashville and love Nashville deeply, and I thank them for their contribution," Drake said.
'My family will forever be grateful'
"If it weren’t for the generosity of the Nashville community I fear it wouldn't have ever happened this quickly," Diane Kaufman told The Tennessean. "My family will forever be grateful to them, and Detective Dickerson, Chief Drake and Don Aaron. I think I’m still in shock. I was in shock with the shooting, but now I’m in shock with the arrest. I’m just so thankful."
After the slaying, Kaufman's mother traveled to Nashville from the family's hometown in Western Pennsylvania to meet with detectives and plead with the public for help in finding her daughter's killer.
"Please help me find out who did this to my daughter," she said Monday afternoon. "I need closure. Caitlyn was selfless.... She had a contagious laugh. She had beautiful blue eyes, a heart of gold."
Kaufman was hired in 2018 at Saint Thomas West Hospital, where most recently her mother said she worked the midnight shift.
Police spokesman Don Aaron said homicide detectives have been working the case relentlessly since Kaufman died.
Detectives believe the shooting happened sometime between 6:05 and 6:10 p.m. while Kaufman was on her way to work for a shift that began at 7 p.m. Police say the person who killed her fired at least six shots fired into her Mazda CX-5 SUV.
Just before 9 p.m., a Metro Parks officer said he saw her SUV on the right shoulder of I-440 in between the West End Avenue and Hillsboro Road exits. The vehicle was against the guard rail so police said he stopped, thinking he'd come upon a single-car crash.
A medical examiner determined a single bullet that struck her shoulder and that she died within seconds of being hit.
Online records show Hill was booked into the Davidson County Jail just before 9:30 a.m. and was being held without bond. Police said Hill has a criminal history but would not elaborate.
Saint Thomas West Hospital released a statement after learning of Hill being charged.
"We are hopeful that justice for Caitlyn's family will be served following the announcement that a suspect has been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation," the statement reads. "Those who knew Caitlyn Kaufman witnessed the overwhelming compassion and kindness she showed for each person she cared for and worked alongside."
A memorial service for Kaufman is set in her hometown for 7 p.m. Saturday.
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