R. Kelly was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse Friday in Chicago. The charges stem from a newly discovered video found by attorney Michael Avenatti that allegedly shows Kelly having sex with a 14-year-old girl, The Chicago Sun-Times and TMZ reported, citing court records.
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The reports say Kells first court date is March 8.
Tandra Simonton, spokeswoman for Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, confirmed to The Associated Press the charges had been filed against but declined to say the specific number.
Foxx scheduled a press conference in Chicago to discuss the charges at 3 p.m. ET. Avenatti is holding a news conference immediately after, he said on Twitter.
Avenatti, who remained quiet throughout his 10-month “investigation” of Kelly on behalf of multiple clients, responded to the indictment on Twitter, proclaiming, “After 25 years of serial sexual abuse and assault of underage girls, the day of reckoning for R Kelly has arrived.”
After 25 years of serial sexual abuse and assault of underage girls, the day of reckoning for R Kelly has arrived.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) February 22, 2019
When Avenatti announced the existence of the new video two weeks ago, he told USA TODAY in an interview: “This is a bombshell of epic proportions. It’s over, after nearly two decades of abuse by R. Kelly. He will not survive this.”
The indictment of Kelly, 52, culminates nearly two decades of allegations, one failed criminal trial, a surging #MuteRKelly campaign, a breakup with his recording label, and the airing of a Kelly-damning film series, “Surviving R. Kelly,” in January.
