R. Kelly Gets Another 20 Years in Prison for Child Pornography

A Chicago federal judge has sentenced disgraced R&B singer and notorious pedophile R. Kelly to 20 years in prison. This is in addition to the 30-year prison term he was convicted of in 2021 on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber ruled that 19 years of his 20-year prison sentence would be served concurrently. This means that he would be serving it at the same time as his other sentence. Only one year would be served consecutively, according to CNN.

Federal prosecutors asked the judge to sentence the "I Believe I Can Fly" singer to up to 25 years in prison as they argued that he is a "serial sexual predator" who "poses a serious danger to society." However, R. Kelly's defense attorneys argued that he would not be able to re-offend should he get out of prison anymore as he would be in his mid-80s should he ever get out.

The Grammy winner was convicted of six charges during the Chicago trial, including three counts of producing videos depicting sexual conduct, as well as three counts of enticing three minors. However, he was acquitted on seven other counts, including conspiracy to obstruct justice. Two of his associates, however, were also acquitted of all charges.

R. Kelly Victims Release Statements After He Was Sentenced

Following the sentencing, two of the victims R. Kelly mistreated when they were still minors spoke out and released their respective statements.

"Now you are here... because there is something wrong with you," said "Nia," one of the singer's victims. "No longer will you be able to harm children."

Before Kelly was sentenced, attorney Christopher Brown read a statement from "Jane," Kelly's most prominent victim and the one whom he reportedly abused the most. "I have lost my dignity due to Robert Kelly. I have lost my dreams due to Robert Kelly. I have lost my teenage years to Robert Kelly," the statement read.

She added that the singer was "abusive and dominating" before lamenting that she will forever be remembered as the girl R. Kelly peed on, according to People Magazine.

Prosecutors Acknowledge That R. Kelly Would Be Spending the Rest of His Life in Prison

R. Kelly is already 56 years old. With the combined about of 31 years from his two trials, including the one additional year he would be spending in prison from this latest trial. He might already be 87.

Al Jazeera News pointed out that he would only become eligible for release around the age of 80, with the singer's lawyers arguing that with diabetes, this might already be a life sentence to the disgraced singer.

Prosecutors cited the "Bump & Grind" singer's not being remorseful for his crimes against children being the reason they asked for such a stiff punishment. However, they also acknowledged that this would be tantamount to R. Kelly already serving life in prison, given his age.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Sentencing hearing today for R. Kelly on Chicago conviction - CBS Chicago