The charges state that R. Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was in the city of Minneapolis to perform a concert when he met the 17-year-old victim who asked for his autograph. Kelly signed his name in addition to his phone number.
According to the charges, the victim called the phone number and was then directed to travel the Minneapolis hotel where Kelly was staying. Kelly allegedly paid $200 for the girl to strip naked, dance for him, in addition to engaging in sexual relations. He then allowed her to attend his 18+ concert for free.
Investigators first learned of this when the victim called a law enforcement hotline earlier this year to report the encounter with Kelly. Freeman said there was no sexual intercourse between Kelly and the victim, however, there was dancing and sexual contact. Freeman also added that given that this case is almost 20 years old, it will be difficult to prosecute.
Now 52-year-old R. Kelly faces 40 various counts in numerous states, including the two counts of prostitution and solicitation of a minor in the state of Minnesota. These crimes carry maximum sentencing of 500 years.
The alleged crimes include filming himself having sexual intercourse with underage girls, child pornography, and running a racketeering enterprise that arranged for girls to have sex with him.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, except the ones in Minnesota where he will be arraigned at a later date.
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Megan Olson
Megan Olson is a 2020 graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees in political science and history. She works in public affairs in addition to serving on the Legislative Advisory Council for School District 196. She is also on the school board for FIT academy, a charter school in Apple Valley.
