One Of The Girls? Man Arrested For Impersonating A Cheerleader

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A female impersonator enrolled at a high school made the cheerleading squad and stole the affections of the football team before being found out eight days later, students and authorities said.

Charles James Daugherty, 26, was arrested for investigation of forgery and criminal impersonation. He was released on $750 bail for a court appearance Oct. 1.

Daugherty enrolled as a junior at Coronado High School, using the name Cheyen Weatherly, school officials said.

Daugherty said he had been studying in Greece under a private tutor for the past two years, Detective Bob Driscoll said.

He became a cheerleader without a formal tryout and performed in uniform at a pep rally, teachers and students said. He changed clothes in the women's locker room and became close friends with at least two cheerleaders.

``I heard there were a couple of girls who befriended him and told him a lot of personal things - you know how girls talk to one another,'' said one teacher, who requested anonymity. ``He asked a lot of personal stuff.''

He also attracted the admiration of the football team, said a student who asked that her name not be used.

Police said Daugherty presented school officials with a computerized list of courses he had completed and grades to match - all A's and B's. School officials initially were skeptical but allowed him to enroll until more detailed records could be obtained.

``Meanwhile, things started to unravel for him,'' Driscoll said.

Daugherty is described as 5 feet 9 and 164 pounds - a build that made teachers and students look twice.

School officials increasingly became suspicious and decided to check telephone numbers and addresses Daugherty had provided. Police were called to the school when administrators concluded the information was false.

``This guy's good,'' Driscoll said. ``The school, I think, was pretty astute in catching him as fast as they did.''