American R&B star R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a US District Judge on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, for sexually abusing women, underage girls and boys for decades.
The 55-year-old Grammy winner, who prosecutors said used his fame to exploit his victims, has had tons of allegations levied against him over the years. These allegations date back to the beginning of his career, with many based on his sexual abuse of teenage girls.
In September 2021, a jury found Kelly guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking crimes and his victims vehemently testified to his predatory pursuits.
Although his lawyers said he will appeal the sentencing, R. Kelly still faces a trial in Chicago on charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice. He also faces sex abuse charges in Illinois and Minnesota.
Here’s a timeline of R. Kelly’s legal tussle spanning over 25 years:
1996
Kelly’s legal tussles began in 1996. Tiffany Hawkins, who was a backing vocalist on R. Kelly’s first album, filed a suit against him for emotional damage and injuries caused in a relationship that started when she was just 15. This case was reportedly settled out of court.
2000
A report was published in the Chicago Sun-Times alleging that R. Kelly perpetually has sexual relationships with minors. Here, no true evidence was found and the case cooled.
January 2001
Jim Derogatis, one of the publishers of the Sun-Times report, received a tape that appeared to show R. Kelly having sex with a minor. This tape was sent to the police.
August 2001
A budding rapper, Tracy Sampson, filed a lawsuit against Kelly with claims that he initiated a sexual relationship with her when she was 17.
2002
Patrice Jones, who allegedly began a sexual relationship with Kelly when she was 16, sued him. She reported that he made her abort a pregnancy that was a product of their relationship. The case was settled out of court.
May 2002
Another case, filed by Dancer Montina “Tina” Woods, was settled out of court. She had alleged that Kelly secretly recorded their sexual encounter.
July 2002
As a result of another surfaced sex tape with a young girl, Kelly was indicted on 21 charges related to child pornography. The singer was arrested in his home in Florida but was later released on bail.
2008
Jury began selection against R. Kelly’s child pornography charges. These charges were reduced to 14 from 21.
2017
Mr Derogatis published an article highlighting allegations that Kelly was holding a group of adult ladies aged 18 to 31 to ransom. Jocelyn Savage denied her parents’ claims of Kelly’s forced relationship with her.
August 2017
24-year-old Jerhonda Johnson Pace broke a nondisclosure agreement and reported that she started a sexual relationship with Kelly when she was 16. The R&B star denied the allegation.
October 2017
DJ Kitti Jones alleged she was in a relationship with Kelly while in her 30s.
2018
A woman, 20, filed suit against Kelly that he infected her with sexually transmitted disease after unlawfully giving her alcohol and assaulting her.
A newly surfaced video of Kelly having sex with a young woman caught the attention of a grand jury. He was indicted on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four alleged victims. The accusations included sexual acts with three children between the ages of 13 – 17. Kelly was jailed on February 22 but was released on February 25 after posting a bail of $100,000.
2019
A grand jury issued 11-count indictment on new charges ranging from aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
2019
The US Attorney Office (Northern District, Illinois) indicted Kelly on a 13-count charge including child pornography and obstruction of justice. Kelly was also charged with sex trafficking in New York and attempting to influence a case in the Eastern District US Attorney’s Office, New York.
August 2019
R Kelly was charged with two counts of engaging in prostitution with a minor in connection with a 2001 incident. Kelly had allegedly given the lady $200 to dance for him and undress at the time. Kelly pleaded not guilty.
March 13, 2020
Kelly’s indictment updated to five acts of racketeering and four more counts of forcefully transporting women and girls along state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity.
September 8, 2020
Kelly’s trial was delayed due to the pandemic.
June 23, 2021
Kelly moved to Brooklyn jail ahead of his August trial.
August 9, 2021
Jury selection begins in Kelly’s trial.
August 18, 2021
Opening arguments began
June 29, 2022
R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison for using his celebrity status to sexually abuse children and women.