Crime
Something is wrong with a little ‘Bump & Grind’ with minors, US court throws the book at R&B singer, R. Kelly
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#USA, June 30, 2022 – Convicted sexual predator Robert Kelly, better known as R. Kelly will spend the rest of his life in federal prison. He was sentenced to 30 years to life on Wednesday.
R. Kelly appeared before a federal judge in Brooklyn for Racketeering and Multiple Predicate Acts, Including Illegal Sex with Minors, Sexual Exploitation of Minors, Bribery, Coercion and Forced Labor racketeering.
The verdict was read by Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for New York east. Prosecutors say Kelly deserves to be sentenced in excess of 25 years because of the nature of his crimes. Kelly has been found guilty on all 9 counts. 45 witnesses testified against him. Kelly was found to be the head of a racketeering ring that involved his former security guards procuring children for him to have sexual relations with.
“Today’s guilty verdict forever brands R. Kelly as a predator, who used his fame and fortune to prey on the young, the
Kelly was convicted of bribery involving a public official regarding deceased singer Aaliyah who he illegally married when she was 15 years old and he was 27. The marriage was quickly annulled by her family and Aaliyah’s mother told documentary journalist Jim DeRogatis her daughter said she never wanted to see Kelly again.
After the two parted ways Kelly abused dozens more girls according to the prosecution.
“Mr. Kelly ran a criminal enterprise whose mission was to serve his sexual gratification by setting up a complex organization of enablers and handlers. When his victims tried to escape, Mr. Kelly and his accomplices silenced them through bribery, intimidation, and physical violence,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh.
The prosecution explained that young women were identified at concerts by Kelly who directed members of the Enterprise to escort them backstage following his musical performances. They then exchanged contact information with girls and women so that he and other members of the Enterprise could arrange travel and lodging for them to visit Kelly after.
The 54 year old will face a minimum of ten years in prison as the prosecution seeks the maximum sentence. Kelly’s lawyers say they are seeking a lower term considering his traumatic childhood where he was assaulted by a female family member as a child.
Charges against Kelly came in 2021 two years after the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly’ premiered in 2019.