Facing The Music: R. Kelly Turns Himself In For Arrest On Charges Of Sexual Abuse
Feb. 23 2019, Updated 9:46 p.m. ET
R. Kelly turned himself in to police on Friday night after being charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of four victims, at least three between the ages of 13 and 17.
The "I Believe I Can Fly" singer, who had been accused for years of sexual misdeeds, appeared at the 1st District-Central police station on February 22, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois and was arrested.
His lawyer says Kelly is not guilty. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announced the charges against the star, which followed years of rumors and allegations that Kelly, now 52, abused women and underage girls.
The January 2019 Lifetime docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, in which women alleged they'd been victims of his sex cult, intensified the campaign against him.
Scroll through RadarOnline.com's gallery for more on Kelly's legal trouble.
Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, announced in a press conference that charges had been filed against Kelly. The singer arrived at a Chicago precinct in a van about 8:15 p.m. Friday and was arrested. He was expected to be held overnight and appear in court on Saturday, February 23, 2019 for a bail hearing.
Kelly decided to turn himself in after he was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Friday, as RadarOnline.com reported.
One of the top-selling recording artists of all time, Kelly has won multiple Grammys, but rumors flew about his alleged criminal mistreatment of underage girls and supposed video tape of his acts. The R&B singer has continuously denied any wrongdoing despite the fact that multiple victims and their parents have come forward.
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The indictment accuses Kelly of sexual acts with three children older than 13 but younger than 17. There is no age range listed for one of the alleged victims. The charges say Kelly used force or the threat of force. Kelly's booking photo was released by the Chicago Police Department.
Kelly's lawyer Steve Greenberg said his client is innocent: "I think all the women are lying. Mr. Kelly is strong, he's got a lot of support and he's going to be vindicated on all these charges -- one by one if it has to be." However, the Lifetime series Surviving R. Kelly shocked the public, as women interviewed said the star kept them in abusive sexual relationships.
Kelly, who wore a blue puffer jacket, didn't respond to reporters' shouted questions as he arrived at the police station. He was handcuffed and led away by cops. The singer's arraignment is scheduled for March 8, 2019. As RadarOnline.com reported, in January, Sony and RCA Records dropped Kelly as an artist as a result of the horrific accusations against him.
The controversial artist is accused of sexually assaulting and abusing young women in addition to holding them hostage in his music studio.
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