Prosecutors in Illinois are holding a press conference this afternoon regarding the new indictment against singer R. Kelly. The singer was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse on Friday. Watch in the stream above.
BREAKING: Media reports: Chicago prosecutors charge R&B star R. Kelly with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 22, 2019
Attorney Michael Avenatti previously said his office turned over footage to prosecutors in Cook County, Illinois. CNN said it viewed the video, which clocked in at 42 minutes and 45 seconds. They said it showed a man (allegedly Kelly) engaging in a sexual encounter with a girl. The alleged victim’s age wasn’t clear by looking at her, they said, but she and the man both referred to her private parts as “14 years old.” Kelly allegedly performed various sexual acts on her.
Today’s indictment involves multiple alleged victims.
NOW: R. Kelly Charges.
10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim — 9 involving victims between ages 13-16. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/r662g7xujX
— Brad Edwards (@tvbrad) February 22, 2019
After 25 years of serial sexual abuse and assault of underage girls, the day of reckoning for R Kelly has arrived.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) February 22, 2019
In 2002, Kelly was indicted in a very similar case. As in 2019, he was charged with abusing a 14-year-old girl in an incident caught on tape. He was acquitted in 2008, however. The girl identified as the victim did not take the stand. Her family members were split over whether it was her. Four testified yes. Three said no.
Kelly’s attorney Steve Greenberg declined to comment on the new charges. He previously declined to comment when we reached out about a New Yorker report that Cook County prosecutors were seeking an indictment against his client. The lawyer has denied other sexual misconduct allegations levied at Kelly.
Note: Added more information about the indictment. See new information below.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx listed charges in a press conference Friday afternoon. There are a total of 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, she said. This is a class 2 felony. Each count is punishable by between three and seven years in prison, and is probationable, she said.
She described three of the four victims as being under 17 years old, and more than 5 years younger than Kelly. This is how she detailed the allegations:
* H.W. was involved in incidents between May 26, 1998 and May 25, 1999. This allegation accounted for four of the abuse charges.
* R.L. was involved in an incident that happened between September 26, 1998, and September 25, 2001. This allegation accounted for two of the charges.
* L.C. was involved in an incident on February 18, 2003. This allegation accounted for one of the charges, which involved the underlying felony of attempted criminal sexual assault, said Foxx. The victim was the only one not described as being under 17, and more than five years younger than Kelly.
* J.P. was involved in incidents dating between May 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010. This allegation accounted for three of the charges.
Kelly is expected at a bond court hearing on Saturday afternoon, Foxx said.
[Image via Mike Pont/Getty Images]
