Former Navarro College cheerleader filed a civil lawsuit in a Dallas federal court
Monica Aldama, head coach and star of Netflix’s “Cheer” series accused of discouraging her from reporting a sexual assault
The plaintiff, who has not been identified, alleges that she was sexually assaulted in her on-campus dorm room in 2021 by a male member of the Navarro cheer squad. The lawsuit names Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, and two college administrators as defendants, accusing them of failing to take action against the perpetrator of the assault and failing to “halt and implement policies against the culture of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual hostility, and violence of Navarro Cheer.”
According to the suit, when the plaintiff attempted to report the incident to Monica Aldama, the head coach told her “Let’s not make this a big deal. I want what’s best for you and I will help you cheer wherever you want.” Aldama also allegedly told the plaintiff, “If you keep quiet, I’ll make sure you can cheer anywhere you want” when she quit the team days after her initial call with the head coach.
The lawsuit also details alleged interactions the plaintiff had with “veteran” members of the squad who are accused of intimidation tactics and of similarly discouraging her from reporting the alleged assault. The plaintiff accuses the same veteran cheerleader, who is not a defendant in the lawsuit, of instructing two male members of the squad to “escort” her around to “ensure that she did not report the assault,” and encouraging her not to bring the allegations to Aldama or authorities because the school would cut the Navarro Cheer program.
Navarro College and Aldama have denied any wrongdoing
A representative for Navarro College stated that “the College denies any allegations of wrongdoing and is prepared to vigorously defend itself in court,” and Aldama said that she is “heartbroken by the false allegations made against me.”
This is not the first legal issue to arise from Navarro College’s cheer squad. In 2020, former Navarro cheerleader Jerry Harris was charged in a seven-count indictment that was filed in US District Court in northern Illinois. Harris pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count each of receiving child pornography and engaging in sexual acts with a minor and is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence.