The federal appeals court in Chicago upheld R. Kelly’s 20-year prison sentence on child sex convictions, stemming from his conviction in 2022 on charges of producing child sexual abuse images and enticing minors for sex. Kelly had appealed, arguing that older Illinois laws on child sex crime prosecution should have been applied to his case instead of current laws, and that charges involving different accusers should have been tried separately. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that Kelly had employed a scheme to silence victims and evade charges. Kelly’s attorney plans to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the decision.
The appeals court also dismissed Kelly’s argument that he should not have been prosecuted due to the statute of limitations, noting that jurors had already acquitted him on some counts even after viewing incriminating videos. Prosecutors had sought a tougher sentence and requested that Kelly’s time in prison not begin until after he completed a 30-year sentence imposed in New York for racketeering and sex trafficking convictions. However, the judge ordered that Kelly serve his 20-year Chicago sentence simultaneously with the New York sentence. Kelly is also appealing the New York sentence, with his attorney arguing that prosecutors misused a racketeering statute to go after him.
The ruling by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago marks another legal setback for R. Kelly, who has been facing multiple legal challenges and legal battles in recent years. The Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, known for hits like “Ignition” and “I Believe I Can Fly,” has been accused of sexual misconduct and abuse by numerous women over the years. The Chicago trial focused on video evidence that allegedly showed Kelly abusing a 14-year-old girl, with the accuser testifying for the first time. While Kelly continues to maintain his innocence, the court’s decision reaffirms his conviction and sentencing on child sex crimes.
Kelly’s legal team remains determined to fight for his freedom, vowing to pursue all available appellate remedies, including seeking review by the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Kelly continues to face legal challenges and appeals in multiple jurisdictions, including the ongoing appeal of his New York sentence. Despite the court’s decision upholding his 20-year sentence in Chicago, Kelly and his legal team remain resolute in their efforts to overturn his convictions and secure his release from prison. The case has drawn significant attention and scrutiny, raising questions about justice, accountability, and the treatment of victims of sexual abuse.
