R. Kelly’s 30-year prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking has been upheld by a federal appeals court, solidifying the fall of the once-celebrated R&B artist.
At a Glance
- Federal appeals court upholds R. Kelly’s 30-year sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering
- Court finds extensive evidence supporting Kelly’s conviction
- Kelly’s lawyer plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court
- Case is considered a significant #MeToo-era prosecution
- Kelly is eligible for release in December 2045
Court Affirms Kelly’s Conviction
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan has reinforced the conviction of R. Kelly, the disgraced R&B singer, on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. This decision comes after a thorough review of the case, which included testimony from 45 government witnesses detailing Kelly’s abusive control over his victims.
Circuit Judge Denny Chin, speaking for the court, highlighted the overwhelming evidence against Kelly. The judge noted the singer’s manipulation of young girls and women, emphasizing the extent of his crimes.
R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with a 30-year prison sentence, were upheld Wednesday by a federal appeals court that concluded the singer exploited his fame for over a quarter century to sexually abuse girls and young women. https://t.co/Vygy7hE2Xp
— ABC News (@ABC) February 12, 2025
Racketeering Scheme Exposed
Prosecutors successfully demonstrated Kelly’s involvement in a racketeering scheme that recruited women and underage girls for sexual purposes. The court found that Kelly exploited his fame to lure victims into his orbit, subsequently controlling nearly every aspect of their lives through verbal, physical, and sexual abuse.
“Extensive evidence showing how Kelly ensnared young girls and women into his orbit, endeavored to control their lives, and secured their compliance with his personal and sexual demands through verbal and physical abuse, threats of blackmail, and humiliation,” Circuit Judge Denny Chin said.
The ruling emphasized that Kelly’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic pattern of abuse spanning over two decades. This pattern involved not just Kelly himself, but also a network of managers, assistants, and other staff who enabled his behavior.
Defense Arguments Rejected
Kelly’s defense team, led by attorney Jennifer Bonjean, argued that prosecutors had overreached in their application of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Bonjean contended that the statute was being misapplied to individual conduct rather than organized crime as originally intended.
“[The conviction] gives the government limitless discretion to apply the RICO statute to situations absurdly remote from the statute’s intent. The statute was intended to punish organized crime, not individual conduct,” Kelly’s lawyer Jennifer Bonjean said.
However, the appeals court rejected these arguments, along with claims of inadequate trial evidence and biased jurors. The court stood firm in its belief that the evidence presented at trial was substantial and justified the convictions.
Implications and Future Legal Battles
This ruling marks a significant victory for the #MeToo movement and represents a turning point in how society addresses long-standing allegations of abuse by powerful figures in the entertainment industry. The case against Kelly, which had been brewing since the 1990s, only came to fruition in recent years, partly due to increased public awareness and the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”
Kelly, known for hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” is currently serving his sentence at a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina. He is not eligible for release until December 2045, effectively ending his music career and serving as a stark warning to others who might abuse their power and influence.
