More bad news for R. Kelly, as the law continues to close in on the embattled singer and alleged rapist.
On Thursday, prosecutors in Cook County, Illinois charged Kelly with 11 sex crimes in addition to the allegations he had previously been fighting.
The charges include 4 counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, 2 counts of criminal sexual assault by force, 3 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between 13 and 16 years old, and 2 are aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Prior to today’s indictments, Kelly was already set to stand trial for a slew of other charges ranging from tax evasion to sex trafficking.
One of the accusers identified by her initials in Thursday’s court filing is believed to be a previous alleged victim who has now provided new information to prosecutors.
Other charges are believed to be related to previous allegations that Kelly assaulted four girls between the ages of 13 and 16.
It’s unknown at this time if any of the allegations are related to a Kelly sex tape which allegedly showed the 52-year-old engaged in sex acts with multiple underage victims.
While Kelly himself has yet to comment publicly, a rep for the singer says he is not concerned about today’s developments:
“They are old charges. We knew they were coming and this was happening,” said Darrell Johnson.
“He’s not going to jail. We don’t have the full details yet as waiting on discovery.”
However, an anonymous source closely connected to the case told Radar Online today that this is the latest step forward in prosecutors’ ongoing efforts to ensure that Kelly goes to prison for a very long time.
“There are two separate federal grand juries empaneled. Several victims provided testimony to those juries. Mr. Kelly, you must face justice that is long overdue,” said the source
While sexual assault allegations against Kelly have been public knowledge for over a decade, public outrage reached an all-time high following the release of the 2018 documentary Surviving R. Kelly.
Now, emboldened accusers have banded together to ensure that justice is served.
Kelly has remained silent in the public sphere ever since his infamous interview with Gayle King did further damage to his battered public image.
“Lots of things wrong when it comes to women that I apologize, but I apologized in those relationships at the time that I was in the relationship, OK?” Kelly told King before suffering a violent emotional breakdown on camera.
We’ll have further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
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