Federal Appeals Court Confirms R. Kelly’s Convictions and 30-Year Prison Sentence

A federal appeals court upheld R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with his 30-year prison sentence, reinforcing the conclusion that the disgraced R&B singer exploited his fame for over 25 years to abuse young girls and women. The ruling was delivered by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan after hearing arguments in March.

Kelly, a Grammy winning and multiplatinum selling artist, was convicted in 2021 in Brooklyn federal court on multiple charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking.

His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, responded to the ruling by stating her belief that the Supreme Court would consider an appeal, criticizing the decision as “unprecedented” and arguing that prosecutors were given excessive discretion in applying the racketeering statute.

Previously, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a separate 20-year sentence Kelly received in 2022 after being convicted in Chicago on child sex charges, including producing images of child sexual abuse.

The 2nd Circuit rejected several arguments from Kelly’s defense, including claims that trial evidence was insufficient, certain state laws used against him were unconstitutional, and that jury bias and improper rulings by the judge tainted the trial. Additionally, the court dismissed objections that the racketeering charge, more commonly applied to organized crime cases, was improperly used against him.

The appeals court emphasized that Kelly’s long-term abuse was enabled by a network of managers, assistants, and staff who helped him gain access to underage girls. The judges noted that evidence demonstrated how he isolated victims, controlled their lives, and subjected them to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse.

In its ruling, the court defended allowing multiple accusers to testify about Kelly giving them herpes without disclosing his STD status. The judges stated that this testimony was neither excessive nor prejudicial.

With the federal appeals court upholding his sentences, Kelly’s legal options are increasingly limited, leaving his future behind bars almost certain. His legal team’s next move remains uncertain, but the fight to overturn his convictions continues.