R. Kelly
Two decades of allegations, the 2008 acquittal, renewed reporting, and the federal convictions in New York and Chicago.
20 developments, 2002–2025, oldest first.
2002
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R. Kelly indicted on child pornography charges in Chicago
A Cook County grand jury indicted R. Kelly on charges of producing child pornography tied to a videotape allegedly showing him with an underage girl. Kelly denied the charges.
2008
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R. Kelly acquitted on all child pornography counts
After years of delays, a Chicago jury found R. Kelly not guilty on all 14 counts in the child pornography case, largely because the alleged victim did not testify.
2017
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BuzzFeed report alleges R. Kelly holds young women in controlling 'cult'
A BuzzFeed News investigation by journalist Jim DeRogatis reported parents' claims that Kelly kept young women isolated in homes in Atlanta and Chicago under strict control. Kelly's lawyer denied the allegations.
2019
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Multiple investigations reported after 'Surviving R. Kelly' docuseries airs
Following Lifetime's six-part 'Surviving R. Kelly,' Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx urged possible victims to come forward and Fulton County, Georgia, prosecutors reportedly contacted participants. Kelly denied the claims.
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RCA Records and Sony Music drop R. Kelly after docuseries furor
Sony-owned RCA Records parted ways with R. Kelly about two weeks after 'Surviving R. Kelly' aired and amid #MuteRKelly protests and employee pressure.
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R. Kelly charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Chicago
Cook County prosecutors charged Kelly with aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four alleged victims, three of whom were minors at the time. He turned himself in and pleaded not guilty.
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R. Kelly arrested on federal sex crime charges in Chicago and New York
Federal agents arrested Kelly in Chicago on indictments from Illinois and Brooklyn alleging child pornography, obstruction and a racketeering scheme to recruit women and girls for sex.
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R. Kelly pleads not guilty to federal racketeering charges in New York
Kelly pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court to racketeering and Mann Act charges and was ordered held without bail.
2021
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Jury selection begins in R. Kelly's Brooklyn sex trafficking trial
Jury selection opened in Kelly's long-delayed federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial in Brooklyn.
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R. Kelly convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking in New York
A Brooklyn federal jury found Kelly guilty on all nine counts, including racketeering and Mann Act violations, after a six-week trial in which several accusers testified.
2022
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R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in federal prison
U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly sentenced Kelly to 30 years in prison for racketeering and sex trafficking.
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R. Kelly convicted on child pornography and enticement charges in Chicago
A Chicago federal jury convicted Kelly on six counts including producing child pornography and enticing minors, while acquitting him of conspiring to obstruct his 2008 trial; two co-defendants were acquitted.
2023
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Cook County prosecutors drop state sex abuse charges against R. Kelly
State's Attorney Kim Foxx dropped the 2019 state charges, citing Kelly's lengthy federal sentences.
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R. Kelly sentenced to 20 years in Chicago case, mostly concurrent
Judge Harry Leinenweber sentenced Kelly to 20 years, with 19 to run concurrently with his New York term, effectively adding one year.
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Judge orders R. Kelly's music royalties paid to victims
A federal judge ordered more than $500,000 in Kelly's royalties held by Universal Music Group turned over toward restitution for his victims.
2024
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Appeals court upholds R. Kelly's 20-year Chicago sentence
The 7th Circuit rejected Kelly's argument that the statute of limitations barred his prosecution and affirmed his Chicago convictions and sentence.
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Supreme Court declines to hear R. Kelly's appeal of Chicago convictions
The U.S. Supreme Court turned away Kelly's challenge to his child pornography and enticement convictions, which argued the charges were time-barred.
2025
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Federal appeals court upholds R. Kelly's racketeering conviction and 30-year term
The 2nd Circuit affirmed Kelly's New York racketeering and sex trafficking convictions and his 30-year sentence.
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Judge denies R. Kelly's bid for release over claimed prison safety threats
A federal judge in Chicago rejected Kelly's emergency request for release or home confinement, which claimed prison officials were plotting against him.
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Supreme Court rejects R. Kelly's appeal of racketeering conviction
The Supreme Court declined to review Kelly's New York racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, leaving his 30-year sentence intact.