Federal Appellate Court Upholds R. Kelly’s Conviction and 20-Year Prison Sentence

The federal appellate court in Chicago has upheld R. Kelly’s conviction and 20-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography and child enticement. The disgraced singer was found guilty of six out of 13 counts back in September and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. This additional sentence will now see Kelly serving a total of 31 years in prison, with no chance of release until he is 80 years old.

Despite appealing the sentence, arguing that the judge exceeded federal sentencing guidelines, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction, stating that the nature of Kelly’s crimes warranted the sentence. Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, has vowed to continue fighting, seeking review from the United States Supreme Court on the statute of limitations questions.

The Surviving R. Kelly docuseries has shed light on the singer’s abusive behavior and the enabling role played by those around him. The final installment aired earlier this year, covering Kelly’s 2022 federal trial and his marriage to the late singer Aaliyah. Tinashe, who was forced to work with Kelly and Chris Brown by her former label, RCA, has expressed embarrassment over the collaboration.

As the legal battle continues, R. Kelly’s fate remains uncertain, but for now, he faces a lengthy prison sentence for his heinous crimes. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing story.