By American R&B singer, R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison over charges of sex racketeering and trafficking.
Last September, the 55-year-old musician was convicted of exploiting his stardom and wealth over a quarter century to lure girls and women for sex.
On Wednesday, Kelly appeared before a US federal judge who handed him the sentence, despite the defense lawyers’ request for a sentence of 10 years or less.
Federal prosecutors had, however, recommended that Kelly be sentenced to more than 25 years in prison, given the seriousness of his crimes and “the need to protect the public from further crimes”.
Delivering the sentence, Judge Ann Donnelly said the celebrity had used sex as a weapon, forcing his victims to do unspeakable things and saddling them with incurable diseases. She also ordered Kelly to pay a $100,000 fine.
“These crimes were calculated and carefully planned and regularly executed for almost 25 years,” she told the embattled superstar.
“You taught them that love is enslavement and violence.”
Jurors at Kelly’s six-week trial in Brooklyn heard how he trafficked women between different US states, assisted by managers, security guards and other members of his entourage.
Several accusers testified that the Grammy winning artiste subjected them to perverse and sadistic whims when they were underage.
They also alleged they were ordered to sign nondisclosure forms and were subjected to threats and punishments such as violent spankings if they broke what one referred to as “Rob’s rules.”
Since the beginning of his trial, Kelly has been detained at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
