American recording artiste R Kelly today learnt that he will face trial on numerous sexual abuse charges starting August 9 in Brooklyn, New York, after appearing telephonically before a federal court judge.

The self-proclaimed ‘Pier Piper of R&B’ is facing charges in New York alleging that, for over two decades, he was the leader of a racketeering enterprise made up of managers, bodyguards, drivers, personal assistants, and runners who recruited women and girls to engage in illegal sexual
activity with the singer.

Kelly is facing charges involving up to six different victims.

He is also being charged for sexual exploitation of a child, bribery and kidnapping.

KELLY TO BE MOVED TO NEW YORK

Making matters worse, Kelly often filmed and photographed the sex-trafficked, according to the court filing by the Department of Justice.

The district attorneys of New York City announced that they will now begin the process to remove Kelly from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago, where he has been in custody since July 2019, and take him to a similar facility in Brooklyn, New York.

Kelly, who was first charged in February 2019, pleaded not guilty and was released after two nights behind bars on US$100,000 bail.

He was subsequently re-arrested in Chicago on July 11 of that year and has been denied bail ever since.

So even during his long wait for a trial, the Same Girl singer has asked the court multiple times to be released due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, but to no avail.

Kelly is also awaiting trial in Illinois regarding separate sexual abuse allegations.