Famed R&B singer R. Kelly, 54, was convicted on five federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking on Monday.
The Brooklyn jury made its decision in its second day of deliberation, with the racketeering charges amounting up to 20 years in prison, according to the Associated Press.
Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was accused of using his entourage and managers to meet young girls in a span of decades. Multiple women testified during the case, which started on August 18, accusing Kelly of physically, sexually, and psychologically assaulting them as children.
“Today R. Kelly has been convicted of several serious federal crimes,” Attorney Gloria Allred said in a press conference outside of the downtown Brooklyn courthouse on Monday. “Mr. Kelly, who once described himself as a ‘genius’ to one of my clients who testified, is nothing but a convicted felon.”
In the case, Kelly pleaded ‘not guilty’ as his lawyers said the women were groupies who wanted to take advantage of the singer’s fame and fortune.
His attorney added that they were disappointed the trial took place, pointing to “inconsistencies” in the accusations.
The acts of racketeering included sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, and forced labor. Kelly also violated the “Mann Act” which is a law prohibiting sex trafficking across state lines. In the four counts related to the Mann Act, Kelly was charged with transporting, coercing, and enticing multiple women.
In 2008, Kelly was found not guilty on child pornography charges in Chicago.
While convicted in New York, Kelly still faces charges in Illinois and Minnesota.
Kelly will be sentenced on May 4, 2022.
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