Cook County prosecutors charge R. Kelly with 10 counts of sexual abuse
R. Kelly appeared in Cook County Domestic Relations court Wednesday, March 13 for a hearing regarding over $160,000 due in back child support. After Kelly arrived at 9:20 a.m., the singer entered his sealed courtroom. Kelly is set to return to Domestic Relations court on May 8.
February 22, 2019
R&B musician R. Kelly has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse by Cook County prosecutors.
Kelly is accused of sexual abuse dating back to 1998 involving four victims, three of whom were allegedly minors, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced in a Feb. 22 press conference.
Three of the victims were allegedly under the age of 17, she said.
The charges follow the January Lifetime docu-series “Surviving R. Kelly,” which depicted years of alleged sexual abuse by Kelly.
A judge authorized Kelly’s arrest on Friday with no bail warrant. Once in custody, Kelly will have a bond hearing Feb. 23, Foxx said. Sexual abuse is a Class 2 felony and can warrant three to seven years in prison with the opportunity of probation, she added.
“The recent Lifetime docu-series is deeply, deeply disturbing,” Foxx said during a January press conference. “It takes courage to relive and repeatedly re-experience trauma by telling your story of sexual victimization.”
Foxx called for Kelly’s victims to come forward.
“We cannot seek justice without you,” she said during the January press conference.
English and Creative Writing associate professor Jim DeRogatis was sent an anonymous fax in 2000 which alleged there was a videotape showing Kelly having sex with an underage girl. DeRogatis’ reporting led to numerous child pornography charges against the singer. Kelly was ultimately acquitted in the 2008 court case that accused him of 14 counts of child pornography.
DeRogatis has reported a total of at least 48 women who have allegedly been assaulted by Kelly.
Foxx asked anyone with further information to call 773-674-6492.
