Singer R Kelly sentenced to 30 years for racketeering and sex trafficking
The former 90s superstar was branded ‘the pied piper of R&B’ as he came face to face with several of his victims.
R&B singer R Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by a federal court in New York for masterminding an elaborate scheme to entice and sexually exploit young aspiring singers and underage children.
The former 90s superstar was branded “the pied piper of R&B” as he came face to face with several of his victims who detailed his “deplorable and inexplicable” abuse during the hearing.
Kelly’s sentence follows his conviction on multiple counts of racketeering, relating to bribery and forced labour, by a jury in September last year.
The singer, who denied all charges, was found guilty on all nine counts against him after a six-week trial in Brooklyn, New York.
Sentencing Kelly, Judge Ann Donnelly said he had taught his victims “that love is enslavement and violence”.
“Sentencing another human being is probably the most difficult thing a judge has to do,” she said.
“Using your status and celebrity… you had a system of people that you used to lure young fans into your orbit.
“Having your minions troll for young people at the mall… handing out your phone number… for the opportunity to meet R Kelly.”
“You fancied yourself a genius that can do ‘whatever I want because of what I give to the world’.”
“You taught them that love is enslavement and violence,” she added.
Kelly, dressed in a grey prison-issue uniform, did not appear to react as his sentence was passed.
He chose not to make any statement himself ahead of sentencing due to pending cases against him.
The singer is due to face charges relating to child pornography and conspiracy to obstruct justice in Chicago in August.
A woman using the pseudonym Angela told him: “The pied piper of R&B, both in music and in technique and in approach.
“Success and love… you presented these glittering gems as if they were gold.
“With every addition of a new victim you grew in wickedness, cockiness, diminishing any form of humanity or self-awareness, which soon became the breeding ground for your God-like complex.
“You were doing, saying and encouraging despicable things that no one should be doing.
“We reclaim our names from beneath the shadows of your afflicted trauma.”
“You are an abuser, you are shameless, you are disgusting,” she told him.
The singer, real name Robert Sylvester Kelly, has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn since his conviction.
He is known for songs including his first number one single Bump N’ Grind and 1996 smash hit I Believe I Can Fly.
The latter became an inspirational anthem played at school graduations, weddings, in advertisements and elsewhere, including the inauguration of former US president Barack Obama in 2008.
