An Illinois prosecutor dropped 10 sexual assault charges against singer R. Kelly on Monday, telling a news conference that cost was one factor in his decision.
Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is already serving a 30-year prison sentence on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges after being convicted in New York last year. He is also due to be sentenced in a second federal case in Chicago later this month.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx told reporters her office believes «justice has been served» against Kelly with those two convictions. She noted that her office’s «limited resources and court time» were the final factor, noting that her office found the allegations to be credible.
“Mr. Kelly is considering the possibility of never leaving prison again,” Foxx said.
Kelly will appear in Cook County Court on Tuesday, where the charges will be formally dropped. The state accused Kelly of sexually abusing four people, three of whom were minors.
Foxx announced the state’s case against Kelly in 2019, saying the incidents occurred between May 1998 and January 2010. Kelly faced three to seven years in prison on each count if convicted.
The women in the case were only identified in the indictment by their initials, but multiple women have brought charges against Kelly over the years.
Lifetime aired a six-part docuseries, «Surviving R. Kelly,» in January 2019 in which multiple women alleged that Kelly subjected them to mental, physical, and sexual abuse. Foxx urged potential victims to come forward to speak with her office about possible criminal activity after the series.
Foxx said Monday that he consulted with the women indictments before making the decision to drop the charges, acknowledging that some might be disappointed.
«I know firsthand how difficult it is for you to tell your stories,» Foxx said. «Four years ago, I stood at this podium and shared my story of being a survivor and my full understanding of what it means to have to leave.» before strangers to discuss what is arguably one of the most horrific experiences one could have. And these women, all black, came forward, believing that they would be heard.»
Kelly also faces state charges in Minnesota, where he has been charged with soliciting a minor for sexual purposes and prostitution with a minor.
In the New York case, Kelly was convicted of nine counts of extortion and sex trafficking. Jurors discovered that Kelly had created a criminal enterprise that allowed him to recruit and transport underage girls for sex.
Months later, in Chicago federal court, he was convicted of six counts of sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor. He is scheduled to be sentenced on those charges on February 23.
Kelly’s attorneys have said he plans to appeal his two federal convictions.
The Associated Press contributed.