R. Kelly Arrested On Federal Sex Trafficking Charges Stemming From New York, Illinois
AT-A-GLANCE
- Accusations Started When A Woman Accused Singer Of Giving Her An STD
- In Chicago, Kelly Faces 10 Counts Of Sexual Abuse, Some Against Underage Teen
- Timeline Of R. Kelly's Rise To Fame, Fall From Grace
CHICAGO (CBSNewYork) – R. Kelly was arrested Thursday in Chicago on a slew of new sex charges.
Federal indictments accused him of crimes in Illinois, Connecticut, California and New York.
"He's an individual that, as alleged, for 20 years has preyed on women and children and now it's time," said Angel Melendez, special agent in charge at Homeland Security, New York.
For the second time this year, 52-year-old R. Kelly was arrested in Chicago on sex crime charges. The indictment alleges criminal acts over two decades, dating back to 1999, both in the United States and overseas. It accuses Kelly of engaging in sex acts with girls under 18, and without disclosing that he had sexually transmitted diseases.
Web Extra: Read New York Indictment Against R. Kelly
"We're prepared. We have a great cast of attorneys that's working on this case, and we're looking for to Mr. Kelly's day in court, and he's proving his innocence," said Darrell Johnson, R. Kelly's crisis manager.
Six weeks ago, Kelly pleaded not guilty to charges in Chicago, four of which carry up to 30 years in prison, each.
SEE IT: R. Kelly's Publicist Confronted By Family Of Live-In Girlfriend
Law enforcement sources told CBS News the 52-year-old singer was taken into custody by the NYPD and Homeland Security agents while walking his dog in front of his apartment at Trump Tower. He is expected to be extradited to New York in the next few days.
"Mr. Kelly was aware of the investigation and the charges were not a surprise. He had already assembled a team of outstanding federal litigators. He and his lawyers look forward to his day in court, to the truth coming out and to his vindication from what has been an unprecedented assault by others for their own personal gain," his lawyer Steven Greenberg said in a statement Friday. "Most importantly he looks forward to being able to continue to making wonderful music and perform for his legions of fans that believe in him."
Read More: CBS Chicago | CBS News
The U.S. Attorney's Office in northern Illinois said Kelly faces 13 counts, including child pornography, enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and obstruction of justice. The Eastern District of New York said the singer faces additional counts of racketeering, kidnapping, forced labor and the sexual exploitation of a child.
In an explosive interview with Gayle King in March, Kelly insisted he has done nothing wrong, and denied allegations he abused women.
"You've never held anybody?"" King asked.
"For R. Kelly, with all I've been through in my way, way past, to hold somebody, let alon four, five, six, 50 you said - How stupid would I be to do that?" Kelly said.
The family of Kelly's live-in girlfriend Joycelyn Savage confronted the singer's crisis manager during a news conference Friday in Atlanta.
"I want to know where my daughter is. Where is she at? Answer that question," her father shouted.
"I can't tell you anything about your daughter. I do not work for your daughter," Johnson responded.
R. Kelly will be held in custody until at least Tuesday. It's not yet clear when he might come to New York to face charges.
This is the first time he has faced federal charges, CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan reported.
In February, Kelly was charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse against women and minors. Eleven additional charges of sexual assault followed in May.
He pleaded not guilty in June and has repeatedly denied the allegations. He was acquitted on state child pornography charges in 2008.
