R. Kelly Charged With 10 Counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse in Illinois

After the docu-series Surviving R. Kelly aired on Lifetime, fans were eagerly awaiting the day that rapper R. Kelly was finally held legally responsible for his actions. On Friday, February 22, it seemed things were finally going there way. In Cook County, Illinois, a judge ordered an arrest warrant for the singer based on 10 charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault against four different victims, three of them minors. According to the Chicago Sun Times, the arrest warrant specified that there would be no bail — which would mean that the “Ignition” singer would need to wait out his trial in jail.

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The charges are for crimes allegedly committed between 1998 and 2010 with minors between the ages of 13 and 16. In the past, R. Kelly has denied any and all claims of sexual abuse, but a source close to the investigation revealed that he is planning to turn himself in. Lawyer Gloria Allred, who is representing some of the alleged victims, shared in a press release, “As I predicted yesterday, the wheels of justice are turning and now R. Kelly is required to face allegations against him in the criminal justice system.”

She continued, “He will have to face his accusers and the evidence against him at trial,” and indicated that there may be even more trials in the rapper’s future. “We are aware of other open investigations in other jurisdictions, but I am very glad that he has been indicated in Cook County and that this day has finally come for Mr. Kelly,” she said. “The days of running and hiding his victimization of women from the criminal justice system have now come to an end for R. Kelly.”

In the past, artists like Lady Gaga have apologized for associating with the rapper. “What I am hearing about the allegations against R. Kelly is absolutely horrifying and indefensible,” she said on January 9. “As a victim of sexual assault myself, I made both the song and video at a dark time in my life. My intention was to create something extremely defiant and provocative because I was angry and still hadn’t processed the trauma that had occurred in my own life. The song is called ‘Do What U Want (With My Body).’ I think it’s clear how explicitly twisted my thinking was at the time.”