R. Kellyhas pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering and violating federal laws prohibiting sex trafficking.
The singer, 52, entered his plea during an arraignment hearing held in Brooklyn Federal Court on Friday morning, after having beentransported in custodyfrom Chicago, where he isbeing held without bond.
Kelly — who “appeared sullen” — only addressed the court briefly, made his plea through his attorneys, according tothe Associated PressandVariety.
Scheduled for back-to-back hearings, the singer was also denied bail, as government attorneys argued that Kelly was a flight risk, the outlet reported. Kelly’s lawyers Steve Greenberg and Douglas Anton didn’t immediately address the ruling.
The five-count indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York includes charges of racketeering and violations of the Mann Act, which “prohibits transporting people across state lines for the purpose of prostitution,” theNew York Timespreviously reported.
Sketch of R. Kelly in court in New York Friday.Aggie Kenny/AP/Shutterstock
Kelly’s court date comes less than a month after the singer (né Robert Kelly) was arrested on federal charges including child pornography, racketeering and obstruction of justice — per two indictments out of Chicago and New York City.
The Chicago indictment also accused Kelly of using physical abuse, violence and blackmail to “prevent victims from providing evidence to law enforcement.”
TANNEN MAURY/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
In February, he was also hit with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against four alleged victims, three of which were specially referred to as under the age of 17. Hepleaded not guiltyto all of the charges.
An arrest warrant was issued for Kelly in February after the first charges were announced, and he surrendered to Chicago police hours later. Three days later, Kelly was released from jail after paying 10 percent of his $1 million bail amount, the Cook County Sheriff confirmed to PEOPLE at the time.
The singer faces amaximum prison sentence of over 200 years, according to Reuters.
Kelly, who was also the subject of the bombshell documentarySurviving R. Kellyearlier this year, has maintained his innocence throughout his legal troubles.
source: people.com
