Federal Court Upholds R. Kelly’s Convictions and 30-Year Sentence

The appeals court rejected claims of insufficient evidence and juror bias, affirming charges of racketeering and sex trafficking against the disgraced musician.

R. Kelly’s 30-year prison sentence was upheld by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, confirming his 2021 convictions on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
The court found extensive evidence that Kelly leveraged his fame and a network of associates to target and control underage girls and young women for abuse.
Arguments by Kelly’s legal team, including claims of juror bias and misuse of the RICO statute, were dismissed as without merit by the three-judge panel.
The court also upheld restitution payments to victims, including compensation for herpes treatments, rejecting Kelly’s objections over the costs awarded.
Kelly’s attorney indicated plans to potentially appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the ruling improperly broadened the scope of the RICO statute.