MANHATTAN, U.S. – A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld R&B singer R. Kelly’s sex trafficking and racketeering conviction, rejecting his claims of an unfair trial and affirming his decades-long prison sentence.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled that prosecutors had presented extensive evidence demonstrating how Kelly, once a Grammy-winning artist, used his fame to recruit and manipulate women and underage girls for sex.
The court found that his methods included physical and psychological abuse, blackmail, and humiliation to control his victims.
Circuit Judge Denny Chin, writing for the three-judge panel, stated that the jury had ample reason to conclude that Kelly orchestrated a criminal enterprise to entrap and exploit victims.
Chin highlighted testimony that painted a picture of strict control, with Kelly dictating victims’ movements, requiring them to refer to him as “Daddy,” and forcing them to seek permission for basic needs like eating or using the bathroom.
Kelly, 58, was convicted in September 2021 on one count of racketeering and eight counts of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for illegal sexual activity.
He is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence at a North Carolina facility and is not eligible for release until December 2045, when he will be 78.
Kelly’s legal team had argued that prosecutors failed to prove he led a racketeering scheme and claimed that four jurors were biased due to prior knowledge of the case.
The appellate judges dismissed these arguments, siding with prosecutors who emphasized Kelly’s long history of evading accountability despite decades of allegations.
The court also rejected Kelly’s assertion that prosecutors failed to prove he knowingly exposed victims to herpes.
The ruling reinforced previous findings that Kelly concealed his diagnosis while engaging in unprotected sex with victims, further bolstering the case against him.
The decision comes as the music industry grapples with similar allegations against another high-profile figure.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is awaiting trial in May on sex trafficking charges, with dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct. Combs has pleaded not guilty.
Kelly’s conviction was a landmark case in the #MeToo era, as his trial featured testimony from 45 government witnesses detailing his predatory behavior.
His conviction in Brooklyn is separate from a 2022 Chicago trial, where he was sentenced to an additional 20 years for child sex crimes.
However, only one year was added to his existing prison term, as the remaining 19 years run concurrently.
Despite multiple appeals, Kelly’s legal avenues are narrowing.
In October, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal from the Chicago case, further cementing his fate behind bars.
Once celebrated for hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” Kelly’s legacy is now overshadowed by his decades-long history of abuse and legal battles.
With this latest ruling, his prospects for early release or a successful appeal continue to diminish.
