American singer R. Kelly, 55, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Wednesday (29) for extortion and sex trafficking. The singer had already been found guilty in a trial that ended in September last year in New York and was awaiting his sentence.
R. Kelly had been charged by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York with extortion, coercion, and transportation of women and girls for illegal sexual activity on American soil for nearly 20 years.
District Judge Ann Donnelly said, according to statements reproduced by Reuters, that the evidence indicates Kelly’s “indifference to human suffering” and “sheer brutality” in his behavior towards victims.
“This case is not about sex. It’s about violence, cruelty and control. You left a trail of shattered lives,” said Donnelly.
In August, Kelly will stand trial in another federal court in Chicago on child pornography and obstruction of justice charges. He also responds to lawsuits in Illinois and Minnesota state courts.
#Singer #Kelly #sentenced #years #prison #racketeering #sex #trafficking
