This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
July 12, 2019, marked a significant day in the ongoing saga of R. Kelly's alleged misconduct. The 52-year-old R&B singer, whose legal name is Robert Kelly, was taken into custody by federal agents in Chicago late Thursday.
According to reports, federal prosecutors have issued a 13-count indictment against Kelly, which includes charges of child pornography, enticement of a minor, and obstruction of justice.
These allegations are not new to Kelly, who has a decades-long history of abuse allegations, particularly involving underage girls. Despite being acquitted in a child porn trial over a decade ago, Kelly has continued to perform and maintain a steady fan base.
Prior to his latest arrest, Kelly was on bail for a slate of charges in Chicago, including five felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault. If convicted of the most serious charges in that case, Kelly would face mandatory sentences of six to 30 years in prison on each count.
When questioned about the allegations in a March interview, Kelly vehemently denied the charges, stating, "I didn't do this stuff."
