R. Kelly Arrested on Federal Sex Crime Charges, Including Child Pornography
The list of charges just keep mounting against rapper R. Kelly. On Thursday, July 11, he was arrested on federal charges for several sex crimes. According to Time, a federal grand jury indicted the musician on 13 additional counts, including child pornography, enticement of a minor and obstruction of justice. He was taken into custody around 7 p.m. local time in Chicago, Illinois.
“Today’s indictment by our federal law enforcement partners demonstrates the collaborative efforts of our criminal justice system. My office was pleased to work together to secure these charges and will continue to work with our colleagues in the pursuit of justice for all victims,” said Kimberly M. Foxx, State’s Attorney for Cook County, Illinois, in a statement obtained by In Touch. “And let us be clear: this is not just about surviving R. Kelly. For most victims, it’s about surviving a less famous abuser, a trusted adult, or a total stranger.”
Back in January 2019, one month before the singer was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Illinois, Foxx told the press that they would only move forward on charges with the cooperation of victims and witnesses. “Many individuals came forward and provided information, making the charges brought today possible,” she said about the new charges. “As a prosecutor and a survivor of sexual assault, I recognize the courage it takes to come forward, and I understand the trauma of doing so. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize public safety and support all victims of crime, and we will remain a compassionate resource for survivors as they regain their power and heal.”
The February and July charges aren’t the only ones R. Kelly is facing. In May, Cook County prosecutors charged him on 11 additional counts, including criminal sexual assault by force and aggravated criminal sexual abuse against an alleged victim between the ages of 13 and 16. Court documents obtained by In Touch at the time alleged that the rapper “knowingly committed an act of sexual penetration … by the use of force or threat of force. … [R. Kelly] acted in such a manner as to threaten or endanger the life [of the victim].”
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