Singer

11 Counts of Sexual Abuse, Assault Filed Against R. Kelly

The 52-year-old R&B star was charged on Feb. 22 with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse for allegedly assaulting three underage girls and one adult woman

Singer R. Kelly has been charged with 11 new counts of sexual assault and sexual abuse, court records show. 

Four of the new charges are Class X felonies, the most serious felony offense in Illinois, short of first-degree murder. It carries a mandatory minimum sentence of six to 30 years in prison.  

A lawyer for R&B singer R. Kelly says charges in New York accusing attorney Michael Avenatti of trying to shake down Nike raise questions about his role in helping Chicago prosecutors bring sex-abuse charges against Kelly. Charlie Wojciechowski reports. 

Kelly's attorney, Steve Greenberg, said Kelly was "recharged in an existing case," which involves the "same alleged victim." 

"We expect the same results," he wrote on Twitter. 

The charges include aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. 

They appear to involve one of the women named in previous charges against Kelly. The alleged victim, identified only as "J.P.," previously accused Kelly of sexual penetration when she was "at least 13 years of age but under 17 years of age." 

The latest charges detail allegations that Kelly "knowingly committed an act of sexual penetration upon J.P." which involved "the use of force or threat of force."

"Robert Kelly acted in such a manner as to threaten or endanger the life of J.P.," the documents read. 

They also repeat an earlier allegation that "[Kelly] transmitted semen on J.P.'s body, for the purpose of Robert Kelly's or J.P's sexual gratification or arousal."

Kelly is next expected to appear in court June 6, records show. 

"With the latest charges brought against Robert Kelly, he still maintains his innocence and denies all accusations brought against him by Jheronda Pace in the state and any other state moving forward. He looks forward to a swift and speedy trial," Kelly's crisis manager Darrell Johnson said in a statement. 

The 52-year-old R&B star was charged on Feb. 22 with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse for allegedly assaulting three underage girls and one adult woman. The charges followed the release of a documentary "Surviving R. Kelly."

Kelly has denied ever abusing anyone.

After being arrested on the sex abuse charges and posting bond, Kelly was sent back to jail for failure to pay child support. He remained in jail for three days until someone paid the more than $160,000 he owed in back child support to his ex-wife.  

(Warning: Disturbing details below)

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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