R&B singer R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years on multiple charges

According to media reports, the U.S. District Court in New York sentenced R&B singer R. Kelly to 30 years in prison on June 29 local time for racketeering and interstate trafficking in persons for the purpose of prostitution.

R. Kelly is best known for his single “I Believe I Can Fly”, which was used as the theme song for the movie “Cosmic Slam Dunk”.

R. Kelly, 55, was active from the 1990s to the beginning of the 21st century and is also known for “The World’s Greatest,” “Ignition (Remix)” and “You are not Alone,” written for Michael Jackson.

On September 27, 2021, a New York court jury found R. Kelly guilty of one count of racketeering and all eight counts related to the prohibition of interstate trafficking in persons for unlawful purposes, including prostitution, and has been in prison since July 2019.

It comes after a six-week trial revealed how he used employees and agents to lure fans and new singers, sexually abusing and controlling them, including locking them in rooms without food or toilets for days.

Federal prosecutors are asking for a sentence of “more than 25 years” for Kelly, reflecting R. Kelly’s continued threat to the public.

R. Kelly used his reputation for sexual assault and emotional abuse of his victims, many of whom were minors, with an apparent lack of remorse.

Multiple victims charged Kelly in court, and Kelly, who wore black glasses and a khaki shirt, kept her head down for most of the hearing, occasionally looking up at the judge or witnesses, according to ‘The New York Times’.

Kelly was charged with child pornography in 2002 when a videotape containing a man suspected of being him having sex with an underage woman came to light.

Only, on June 13, 2008, the jury acquitted Kelly of all 14 counts.