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After a six-week trial, the American singer was found on Monday, September 27, guilty of sexual offenses that could send him behind bars to the end of his life. 

The trial in a federal court in New York revealed how the defendant developed a mechanism that used his fame to sexually abuse women and children for over two decades. R Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was found guilty of using his reputation and fortune to lure victims with the promise that he would help them pursue a musical career, citing CNN.

Several of his victims testified under oath that they were minors when they were abused by R Kelly. The jury that found the 54-year-old artist guilty was composed of 9 women and 2 men and deliberated for two days. The sentence is expected on May 4.

Kelly was also found guilty of violating a federal law that punishes human trafficking for sexual intercourse between American states.

R Kelly received his verdict "without any apparent reaction"

The international press notes that, unlike the cases of other celebrities convicted of sexual abuse, such as Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein, most of the victims who contributed to the defendant's conviction are people of color.

Kelly found her verdict in the shelter of a protective mask, the quoted source states. He had no apparent reaction and his lawyer, Deveraux Cannick, said he did not anticipate the verdict.

One of the women who testified against her stated that the interpreter kidnapped, drugged and raped her and that she had to hide because of the threats she received from the accused. "I am ready to start living my life without fear and to start healing," said the woman, identified in court as Sonja.

Monday's verdict comes 13 years after Kelly was acquitted of child pornography after a trial in Illinois.

R Kelly, found guilty of "racketeering", a crime attributed to criminal organizations

Many of the accusations against the performer were first made in a documentary called "Surviving R Kelly" (Surviving R Kelly). Kelly's victims were sometimes selected from the audience of his concerts or lured into his entourage with promises of help in his musical career. After entering Kelly's circle, future victims learned that they had to abide by a strict regime and were punished for violating the so-called "Rob's Rules," as the artist's team called them.

In addition to the crime of sex trafficking, Kelly was found guilty on Monday of "racketeering", a crime that designates the use of a business to commit illegal acts and which is usually directed against organized crime groups. During the trial, prosecutors testified with directors, bodyguards and other members of Kelly's entourage that they worked together to assist him in criminal activities.

The court also found out that the artist illegally obtained documents to marry the minor singer Aaliyah. Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 after marrying R Kelly at just 15 years old.

Victims' Advocate: The Worst Sexual Predator I've Met

Several of Kelly's victims were represented by attorney Gloria Allred. "I have been practicing law for 47 years and I have followed many sexual predators who have abused women and children over time. Of all these, R Kelly is the worst, ”she said. For her part, prosecutor Jacquelyn Kasulis said Monday's verdict sends a message to other men who use their power like Kelly. "It doesn't matter how long it takes, eventually the arm of the law will reach you," Kasulis said.

R Kelly is also targeted by accusations of child pornography and obstruction in Chicago and by accusations of sexual abuse in Illinois and Minnesota.



R Kelly was one of the most beloved artists of the '90s. The song "I Believe I Can Fly" was hummed by young people from all over the world, being also the song on the soundtrack of the movie "Space Jam", with Michael Jordan in the lead role.