The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld R. Kelly’s 2021 federal conviction on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, upholding his 30-year prison sentence. The ruling, which comes after years of legal battles, confirmed substantial evidence that the R&B star exploited his fame to recruit and abuse women and underage girls over a span of two decades.
Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, strongly criticized the ruling, calling it “unprecedented” and signaling her intent to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Bonjean argues that the application of racketeering laws in Kelly’s case was excessively broad, and intends to challenge the decision at the highest court.
The conviction, which stems from Kelly’s New York case, is part of a broader legal problem for the singer. He was also convicted in Chicago federal court for charges related to child p*********y and enticing minors for sex. In that case, Kelly received a 20-year sentence. Notably, the Supreme Court previously declined to hear an appeal regarding the Chicago conviction.
R. Kelly, once renowned for chart-topping hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” has faced sexual misconduct allegations dating back to the 1990s. Despite these ongoing accusations, Kelly maintained a successful music career until his arrest in 2019.
Kelly is scheduled for release in December 2045.
