R. Kelly is already facing numerous charges of assault spanning multiple investigations in multiple cities, and this afternoon, Cook County prosecutors in Illinois filed new charges that add 11 felony counts to his docket. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, those charges include “four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault by force, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a victim between the ages of 13 to 16.” The counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault are Class X felonies that carry a potential sentence of 30 years in prison, if Kelly is convicted. These are the most severe charges he has faced to date.
The victim cited in court documents is listed as J.P., which matches the initials of a victim in a previously charged case. So, this may not be a new accuser, but these are new alleged crimes, said to have taken place in January 2010. In other news, one of Kelly’s accusers was recently granted permission by a judge to appear in court and describe her experiences with Kelly. The singer is currently free on $1 million bond, and according to the Sun-Times, he is scheduled to appear in court on June 6 for the new case. In response to the 11 new counts, Kelly’s lawyer said, “We’ll see what the charges are, and we’ll proceed accordingly.” He added, “I know this much: it’s old. They’re allegations from years ago.”
