R. Kelly Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking

Singer, producer and songwriter R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by New York State for sex crimes.

Robert Sylvester Kelly, popularly known as R. Kelly, was convicted on nine counts, one of racketeering and eight under the Mann Act, which covers human trafficking for prostitution. The singer had been in prison since 2019, but the trial only took place in July 2021 and lasted six weeks with more than 45 witnesses, including men, women and girls.

Witnesses reported being held captive without access to food, water or a bathroom for days on end. There were also reports of people being forced to take drugs while being abused by Kelly, and they also said the singer used his employees and fixers to lure fans and aspiring musicians, many of whom were underage at the time of the abuse.

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Photo: R. Kelly screams in an interview after being questioned about accusations (Reproduction/CBS/Disclosure)

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The musician's defense fought for a reduced sentence of 10 years, but the victory went to the prosecution, which managed to obtain a conviction with a sentence of 30 years in prison. However, the prosecution argued that the celebrity's power relations with his victims are aggravating factors for the crimes, as well as his financial influence and means of evading justice and covering up the crimes.

R. Kelly will still face charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice in Chicago and will then be tried in Illinois and Minnesota.

The 55-year-old singer, author of hits such as “I Believe I can Fly” and “I'm your angel” He already had a history of child abuse, having an illegal marriage in 1994 with the singer Aaliyah, who was 15 at the time, in addition to accusations of possession of child pornography in 2000 when he was acquitted due to lack of witnesses.

Details of the case can be found in the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly“, produced by Lifetime

Featured photo: R. Kelly during the trial (Photographer: Allison Hussey)