The 52-year-old was indicted on charges spanning from incidents that dated back to 1999 and up to the present. CBS Chicago obtained copies of the court documents filed by the Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. The documents say that Kelly used physical abuse and violent threats to maintain control over underage girls and coerce them into engaging in sexual acts with him. 

The 13 federal charges against R. Kelly include enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, child pornography and obstruction of justice.
His publicist, Steve Greenberg, confirmed the news with CBS Chicago. Greenberg told the outlet that the singer was not surprised by his arrest, asserting that R. Kelly has already assembled a team of top lawyers to fight the case.
“Mr. Kelly was aware of the investigations and the charges were not a surprise. He had already assembled a team of outstanding federal litigators. He and his lawyers look forward to his day in court, to the truth coming out and to his vindication from what has been an unprecedented assault by others for their own personal gain,” Greenberg said in a statement.

More charges could possibly be brought against him. CBS Chicago also reported that federal prosecutors in New York have filed a separate five-count indictment against R. Kelly. TMZ obtained a copy of the document, which says that Kelly ran a sex trafficking ring to recruit minors to engage in sexual activity with him. 

A hearing is expected to be held next week. R. Kelly has continued to plead not guilty to the charges. Social media is rejoicing that the disgraced R&B singer might be facing life behind bars after dream hampton’s explosive Lifetime docuseries, Surviving R-Kelly, spurred federal prosecutors to open an investigation against R. Kelly.