A U.S. federal appeals court has upheld R. Kelly's conviction for sex trafficking and racketeering, rejecting his appeal to overturn the ruling. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled that substantial evidence supported the conviction, affirming the disgraced R&B singer's 30-year prison sentence.
According to reports, the court dismissed Kelly's argument that prosecutors failed to prove he operated a racketeering enterprise to recruit and exploit women and underage girls for sex. Circuit Judge Denny Chin, writing on behalf of a three-judge panel, emphasized that the evidence presented during the trial was overwhelming and painted a clear picture of Kelly's predatory behavior.
"Prosecutors provided extensive evidence demonstrating how Kelly lured young girls and women into his circle, controlled their lives, and coerced their compliance with his personal and sexual demands through verbal abuse, physical violence, threats of blackmail, and humiliation," Chin wrote. He further noted that jurors were justified in concluding that Kelly intended for his victims to believe they would face harm if they resisted.
Kelly's defense lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, criticized the ruling, claiming it misinterpreted the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). "The statute was designed to target organized crime, not individual conduct," Bonjean said, adding that her client may escalate the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Brooklyn U.S. attorney's office declined to comment on the appeals court's decision.
Kelly, 58, was convicted in September 2021 by a Brooklyn jury on one count of racketeering and eight counts of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. During the trial, witnesses testified about years of abuse and manipulation, revealing how Kelly leveraged his fame and power to exploit young women and girls.
This ruling solidifies Kelly's 30-year prison sentence, which he is currently serving for his crimes.
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