R. Kelly has been arrested on a federal grand jury indictment of 13 counts, including sex crimes and obstruction of justice.
The indictment was passed to the Northern District of Illinois early yesterday (July 11), and Kelly was taken into custody by federal authorities in Chicago around 7 p.m. local time last night.
U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson Joseph Fitzpatrick said that the charges include child porn, enticement of a minor and obstruction of justice.
The indictment unsealed Friday (July 12) in the Eastern District of New York lists a litany of charges, including racketeering, kidnapping, forced labour and the sexual exploitation of a child. The indcitment alleges Kelly — as well as his managers, bodyguards and other assistants — picked out women and young girls at concerts and other events, arranging for them then to travel to meet Kelly.
The indictment alleges that those around Kelly then set rules for the women to follow, including not leaving their rooms — even to eat or go to the bathroom — without Kelly's permission, calling the singer "Daddy" and not looking at other men.
The criminal acts occurred over two decades dating back to 1999, according to the indictment, both in the U.S. and overseas. It goes on to accuse the R&B star of engaging in sexual acts with girls under 18 and without disclosing he had a sexually transmitted disease.
In addition, the indictment accuses Kelly of producing child pornography, including by asking minors to send him photos.
Kelly is scheduled to be arraigned in Chicago federal court on Tuesday (July 16).
The latest charges follow Illinois state charges against Kelly, who was arrested on 10 counts of sex abuse charges back in February. Those charges involved four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged abuse. Kelly pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.
A few months later, Cook County added 11 more sex-related charges against Kelly. He pleaded not guilty to those as well.
The indictment was passed to the Northern District of Illinois early yesterday (July 11), and Kelly was taken into custody by federal authorities in Chicago around 7 p.m. local time last night.
U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson Joseph Fitzpatrick said that the charges include child porn, enticement of a minor and obstruction of justice.
The indictment unsealed Friday (July 12) in the Eastern District of New York lists a litany of charges, including racketeering, kidnapping, forced labour and the sexual exploitation of a child. The indcitment alleges Kelly — as well as his managers, bodyguards and other assistants — picked out women and young girls at concerts and other events, arranging for them then to travel to meet Kelly.
The indictment alleges that those around Kelly then set rules for the women to follow, including not leaving their rooms — even to eat or go to the bathroom — without Kelly's permission, calling the singer "Daddy" and not looking at other men.
The criminal acts occurred over two decades dating back to 1999, according to the indictment, both in the U.S. and overseas. It goes on to accuse the R&B star of engaging in sexual acts with girls under 18 and without disclosing he had a sexually transmitted disease.
In addition, the indictment accuses Kelly of producing child pornography, including by asking minors to send him photos.
Kelly is scheduled to be arraigned in Chicago federal court on Tuesday (July 16).
The latest charges follow Illinois state charges against Kelly, who was arrested on 10 counts of sex abuse charges back in February. Those charges involved four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged abuse. Kelly pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.
A few months later, Cook County added 11 more sex-related charges against Kelly. He pleaded not guilty to those as well.
