A Timeline of R. Kelly's Cases and Convictions
The U.S. Supreme Court lately declined to listen to R. Kelly's enchantment, upholding his convictions of racketeering and Mann Act violations. Be taught extra referring to the timeline of the singer's circumstances.
R. Kelly is staying at the back of bars.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to listen to the singer’s enchantment to overturn his convictions of racketeering and Mann Act violations June 23, in response to CNN.
Kelly—a.k.a. Robert Sylvester Kelly—challenged being convicted below the Racketeer Influenced and Depraved Organizations Act (RICO). Per the outlet, his approved professional accused prosecutors of stretching the act’s definition of “endeavor” and argued the time interval completely applies if participants portion a general reason to have interaction in illegal habits.
“To maintain otherwise would imply that any rogue heinous actor working interior a apt organization will be prosecuted below RICO as happened right here,” his approved professional mentioned, per CNN. “This scenario stretches the RICO statute beyond and opposite to its reason.”
In step with CNN, the 58-Twelve months-used appealed to the Supreme Court in Might per chance well additionally after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Recent York upheld his conviction in February. Their resolution contrivance his convictions—and the a long time-long penal complex sentences that came with them—will stand.
In 2022, Kelly became sentenced to 30 years in penal complex after a federal jury in Brooklyn learned him responsible of nine counts of racketeering and Mann Act violations pertaining to to the coercion and transportation of girls and girls in interstate commerce for illegal sexual intercourse. He became also sentenced to Two decades in penal complex—with the majority of that sentence working at the identical time as along with his earlier one—in 2023 after a federal jury in Chicago learned him responsible of six of 13 counts of kid pornography and fascinating a minor to have interaction in sexual intercourse. He became acquitted of the quite plenty of seven counts.
Kelly is good his sentence at a federal correction institution in Butner, N.C., with penal complex data showing he is scheduled to be released in December 2045 when he could well be 78.
To study extra referring to the timeline of Kelly’s circumstances, lend a hand finding out.
January 2019
Lengthy sooner than R. Kelly ended up at the back of bars, he faced allegations of sexual abuse. Nonetheless, costs introduced in opposition to him in the Nineties and 2000s—when the singer, otherwise known as Robert Sylvester Kelly, became at the peak of his fame—were either dropped, settled out of court or ended with him being learned no longer responsible.
A protracted time later in 2017, BuzzFeed Recordsdata printed a file about Kelly's alleged “cult,” and activists Kenyette Barnes and Oronike Odeleye launched the #MuteRKelly movement. Then in January 2019, Lifetime released its Peabody Award-a success docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, which detailed allegations of bodily, psychological and sexual abuse in opposition to the “Ignition” performer.
John Tale, Girl Gaga, Probability the Rapper and extra stars spoke out in opposition to him. As for Kelly, he persevered to drawl the accusations.
“Over a decade in the past, he became learned innocent of any wrongdoing,” his then-approved professional Steve Greenberg told NBC Recordsdata in January 2019. “For folks to now accuse him of things, they’re unprejudiced appropriate haters making an try to crash his career.”
Later that month, a supply confirmed to NBC Recordsdata that Sony Music became now no longer working with Kelly.
February 2019
In February 2019, Kelly became charged in Illinois' Cook County with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, with nine of those counts spirited a minor between 13 to 16 years used. Hours later, he grew to change into himself into authorities.
Days after being charged, he pleaded no longer responsible. The Grammy winner became released from custody that afternoon after the main 10 p.c of his $1 million bond became posted.
March 2019
Kelly became taken into custody in March 2019 over unpaid child toughen. The Cook County Sheriff's office told NBC Recordsdata at the time the “I Factor in I Can Fly” singer owed higher than $161,000 to his ex-important other Andrea Kelly, who’s mom to his three children and has accused him of abuse (he's denied the abuse allegations).
Kelly became released days later, with the Cook County Sheriff’s chief coverage officer telling the Associated Press any individual who wished to dwell anonymous paid the quantity he owed.
Around this time, CBS Recordsdata aired an interview Kelly did with Gayle King through which he addressed allegations in opposition to him. He denied accusations presented in Surviving R. Kelly and insisted he by no contrivance had intercourse with an underage girl. As for the cult accusation, the musician mentioned, “I don’t even in actuality know what a cult, is however I know I don’t appreciate one.”
In the raze, Kelly denied any allegations of abuse.
“I delight in ladies,” he mentioned. “I delight in each ladies, however these experiences, they're no longer appropriate.”
Valid through the interview, Kelly grew to change into emotional.
“I didn't beget these items. Here’s no longer me. I'm combating for my f–king existence. You all killing me with this s–t,” he exclaimed sooner than standing up from his seat. “I gave y'all 30 years of my f–cking career.”
Might per chance well additionally 2019
In Might per chance well additionally 2019, Kelly faced 11 new costs. In step with court data got by NBC Recordsdata, these incorporated four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault by power, and 5 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (with three of those 5 spirited minors between 13 and 16 years used).
Kelly looked in Illinois' Cook County and pleaded no longer responsible.
“#RKelly became NOT charged with a brand new case,” his approved professional Greenberg tweeted at the time. “He became recharged in an reward case, identical alleged sufferer and time (a decade in the past) It modifications nothing.”
July 2019
In July 2019, Kelly became arrested in Chicago for federal costs outlined in a 13-count indictment, including costs of kid pornography, enticement of a minor to have interaction in criminal sexual intercourse and obstruction of justice.
The identical day that indictment became unsealed, a separate 5-count indictment became revealed to a federal court in Brooklyn, Recent York, which incorporated one count of racketeering moreover to four counts of violating the Mann Act in the case of transporting a sufferer across mumble traces to Recent York to have interaction in illegal sexual intercourse.
In step with NBC Recordsdata, Kelly pleaded no longer responsible to the costs in the Illinois indictment days later and a mediate ordered him to be held with out bond.
August 2019
Kelly pleaded no longer responsible to the costs from the Recent York indictment in August 2019 and became denied bail.
Nonetheless days later, he became at the heart of 1 other apt fight in Minnesota and charged with two counts of prostitution spirited a minor, in response to court paperwork got by NBC Recordsdata.
“Re: Recent costs @RKelly give me a shatter,” his then-approved professional Greenberg tweeted at the time. “Here’s beyond absurd.”
December 2019
In a superseding indictment filed in Recent York in Decemeber 2019, prosecutors persevered to value Kelly with one count of racketeering moreover to four counts of violating the Mann Act. Nonetheless, a brand new accusation of bribery became incorporated below the racketeering price.
In the court paperwork got by NBC Recordsdata, Kelly became accused of bribing a public officer in 1994 to gain a groundless ID for a individual known as “Jane Doe #1.” Multiple recordsdata organizations delight in The Recent York Times, the AP and NBC Recordsdata—citing a individual conscious of the topic—reported that Jane Doe #1 became Aaliyah.
In its December 1994/January 1995 scenario, VIBE Magazine printed photos of a wedding license for a then 27-used Kelly and a then-15-Twelve months-used Aaliyah (even supposing her age became listed as 18 on the certificates). The marriage became later annulled. Aaliyah died in a airplane wreck in August 2001.
Though commonly asked about their relationship, Kelly wouldn't focus on its extent.
“Attributable to Aaliyah's passing, as I've continually mentioned, out of respect for her mom who's in heart-broken health and her father who's passed, I’ll by no contrivance appreciate that conversation with someone,” he told GQ in 2016. “Out of respect for Aaliyah, and her mom and father who has asked me no longer to personally. Nonetheless I will uncover you I most celebrated her, I will uncover you she most celebrated me, we became very close. We were, , easiest easiest easiest easiest mates.”
Kelly pleaded no longer responsible to the Recent York superseding indictment costs.
February – March 2020
In February 2020, Illinois prosecutors updated their federal indictment in opposition to Kelly.
While the superseding indictment aloof featured 13 counts, in response to CNN, it alleged Kelly abused a sixth minor moreover to the 5 cited in the original indicment filed in July 2019.
“The allegations appear to be extra of the identical used, identical used. And unprejudiced appropriate delight in with the previous allegations we dispute them,” Greenberg told the outlet. “We leer ahead to Robert’s day in court, to his trial and to the day that he can stroll free.”
Recent York prosecutors also updated their indictment in March 2020. While Kelly became charged with 5 counts in the original indictment, this new one got by NBC Recordsdata incorporated nine counts, including for racketeering and violations of the Mann Act referring to the coercion and transportation of girls and girls across mumble traces for illegal sexual activities.
His approved professional, but again, denied the allegations.
“Having now had the quite plenty of to review the most up-to-date superseding indictment in opposition to @rkelly,” Greenberg tweeted, “we beget no longer non-public it fundamentally modifications one thing else.”
Kelly pleaded no longer responsible to both of the indictments' costs.
August – September 2021
After delays as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and Kelly parting ways along with his Recent York attorneys, his trial in Brooklyn started in August 2021. Six weeks later, a federal jury learned him responsible of all nine counts of racketeering and violations of the Mann Act.
“Nowadays’s responsible verdict perpetually manufacturers R. Kelly as a predator, who historical his fame and fortune to prey on the younger, the inclined, and the voiceless for his appreciate sexual gratification,” Jacquelyn Kasulis, then Acting United States Prison professional for the Jap District of Recent York, mentioned in a September 2021 statement following the decision. “A predator who historical his interior circle to ensnare underage teenage girls, and younger ladies and men, for a long time, in a sordid web of intercourse abuse, exploitation and degradation. To the victims in this case, your voices were heard, and justice became at closing served. We hope that nowadays’s verdict brings some measure of consolation and closure to the victims.”
Kelly's susceptible approved professional also reacted to the information.
“We are extraordinarily upset in the decision [that] became returned by the Recent York jury nowadays,” Greenberg mentioned. “Mike Leonard and myself non-public that the decision became no longer supported by the evidence and as an alternative is a reflection of the hysteria whipped up by about a TV shows. We intend to continue to fight on R. Kelly's behalf to assemble obvious all the pieces is being done that can likely be done.”
June 2022
After being learned responsible in his Recent York case, Kelly became sentenced to 30 years in penal complex.
August – September 2022
Four weeks after Kelly’s Chicago trial started in mid-August, a federal jury learned him responsible of six of the 13 counts: Three counts of producing child pornography and three counts of fascinating a minor to have interaction in sexual intercourse. He became acquitted of the remaining seven: One count of kid pornography, one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, one count of conspiracy to receive child pornography, two counts of receiving child pornography, and two counts of fascinating a minor to have interaction in criminal sexual intercourse.
“The responsible verdicts at closing maintain Robert Kelly liable for the sexual abuse of a 14-Twelve months-used girl, and they back factual the wrongs that happened in a earlier prosecution in Cook County,” John R. Lausch, Jr., then U.S. Prison professional for the Northern District of Illinois, mentioned in a September 2022 statement. “The anguish Mr. Kelly inflicted on his victims is immeasurable. I appreciate to thank the victims for their strength, perseverance, and braveness in coming forward to testify at trial.”
“Simply referring to the no longer-responsible verdicts, we respect the jury’s resolution,” he persevered. “While obvious aspects of the costs and the trial made it primary to develop convictions for the total charged habits, it’s miles obvious that justice has been served by the responsible verdicts returned nowadays.”
As for the reaction from Kelly’s apt crew?
“We’re no longer celebrating a gain entirely,” his approved professional Jennifer Bonjean mentioned, per NBC 5 Chicago, “however we are satisfied that the jury in actuality did leer at each count.”
January 2023
Four years after mumble costs of aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse were introduced in opposition to Kelly in Cook County, Illinois, it became announced that the case could well be dropped.
“I ticket how exhausting it became for these victims to come forward and uncover their experiences. I applaud their braveness and appreciate the utmost respect for everyone who came forward,” Kim Foxx, then Cook County Explain's Prison professional, mentioned in a statement got by NBC Recordsdata in January 2023. “While this couldn’t be the result they were waiting for, as a result of sentences that Mr. Kelly is going through, we beget feel that justice has been served. My office will direct our sources to gain justice for reasonably quite plenty of victims of sexual abuse who beget no longer appreciate the skill of a documentary to raise their abusers to light.”
In step with the Chicago Tribune, Kelly's approved professional Bonjean told reporters she became “overjoyed [with] what I judge to be a in actuality sound expend of prosecutorial discretion.”
“To proceed with these costs became unnecessary,” she reportedly added. “It became very primary a piling on. Mr. Kelly is easiest one man with one existence, so he’s already going through a long time in penal complex. I will’t have confidence right here’s a factual expend of the prosecutors’ time, the mediate’s time or the taxpayers’ money.”
Nonetheless, this didn’t change one thing else referring to Kelly's federal convictions in Chicago and Recent York.
February 2023
For the federal counts Kelly became learned responsible of in Chicago, he became sentenced to Two decades in penal complex in February 2023, with 19 of those years working at the identical time as to his Recent York sentence.
Might per chance well additionally 2023
The costs in Kelly's Minnesota case were also dropped.
“Despite our belief in the sufferer survivor, now we appreciate decided to push apart this case in light of the federal convictions of Mr. Kelly for which he purchased prolonged federal penal complex sentences and will likely utilize the relaxation of his existence in penal complex,” the Hennepin County Prison professional’s Office mentioned in a Might per chance well additionally 2023 statement. “The overwhelming influence of continuing to trial in this case on the survivor sufferer, the neighborhood, and the Hennepin County apt system could well be gigantic whereas a conviction would no longer add any time beyond legislation in penal complex.”
Kelly's apt crew also reacted to the information.
“It’s the factual result for hundreds of reasons, and Hennepin County prosecutors showed appropriate discretion,” Bonjean mentioned in a statement got by CNN. “We were ready to protect the case however are overjoyed we don’t need to.”
June 2025
In June 2025, a mediate denied a series of defense motions for Kelly to be moved from federal penal complex in Butner, N.C., to dwelling detention, in response to NBC Recordsdata.
The solutions came days after Kelly’s lawyer Beau B. Brindley alleged in a filing that the musician had been hospitalized that month due to an overdose of medicines from penal complex officers.
In the filing got by NBC Recordsdata, Brindley mentioned penal complex officers overdosed Kelly days after his apt crew publicly accused officers of soliciting one other inmate to murder him. Brindley also alleged in the docs the officers took Kelly “out of a hospital at gunpoint and denied him surgical treatment on blood clots in his lungs that the hospital mentioned main instantaneous intervention.”
“These of us did overdose him,” the filing later mentioned. “They did skedaddle away him with blood clots in his lungs and take away him from a hospital that sought to beget surgical treatment to remove them. And they did it interior days of his publicity of a realizing to murder him build forth by Bureau of Prisons officers.”
When contacted by E! Recordsdata, the FCI facility in Butner illustrious that, “for privacy, security, and security reasons, we beget no longer focus on the necessities of confinement for any incarcerated individual, including scientific and health-linked disorders.” Nonetheless, in response to court filings got by NBC Recordsdata, prosecutors known as Kelly's motion and the accusations “deeply unserious and theatrical” moreover to “ugly to the sentence that this Court imposed for deeply tense offenses.”
(E! and NBC Recordsdata are both piece of the NBCUniversal household).
Source credit : eonline.com
