R. Kelly indicted on 21 counts of child pornography

Jet, June 24, 2002

Famed singer R. Kelly was recently indicted on child pornography charges stemming from a videotape that officials say shows the Grammy Award-winning star having sex with an underage girl.

A grand jury charged Kelly, whose first name is Robert, with 21 counts of child pornography, said Cook County State's Attorney Richard Devine.

Chicago Police Superintendent Terry Hillard said FBI forensics experts determined the tape was authentic, and that other experts had determined the people on the tape were Kelly, 35, and an underage girl.

"Criminal conduct, no matter who is involved, cannot and will not be tolerated in the city of Chicago," Hillard said.

"Decency and the law demand this indictment today," Hillard said. "It's unfortunate to see Mr. Kelly's talents go to waste, but it becomes a tragedy when behavior damages the community."

The felony charge carries a prison term of up to 15 years, and a fine of up to $100,000.

Kelly's lawyer Ed Genson said, "The charge is that there's a young lady under the age of 18 on that tape and there isn't. That's simply the stance that I'm taking. We're going to court, and we'll disprove that she was underage."

Kelly has denied he is the man in the video. "Even though I don't believe any of these charges are warranted, I'm grateful that I will have a chance to establish the truth about me in a court of law. I have complete faith in our system of justice, and when all the facts come out, people will see that I'm no criminal," the singer said in a press statement.

At JET press time, Kelly was arrested outside of his home in Davenport, FL, near Orlando. He was jailed overnight and held without bond pending a court hearing the following morning where Polk County (FL) Judge Karla Wright told him to stay away from minors.

"You're not to have contact with minor children not related by blood or marriage. Do you understand?" Wright asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Kelly answered.

Released from the Florida jail on $750,000 bail, Kelly flew via private jet back to Chicago and surrendered to Chicago authorities, where he paid $75,000 in cash for bond--10 percent of his $750,000 bond.

A hearing was set for June 26 to determine a trial date.

After surrendering to Chicago authorities, Kelly, his lawyer and his spiritual advisor, the Rev. James Meeks, went to Meeks' Salem Baptist Church where Kelly sang for a graduating kindergarten class. Genson said Kelly's appearance did not violate the terms of the singer's Florida bond, which said he must stay away from children other than his own. Genson added that the Florida bond issue was now irrelevant in Illinois. Meanwhile, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office has referred the matter to Criminal Court Presiding Judge Paul Biebel.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported in February that it had received the tape anonymously and passed it along to Chicago police, who began investigating Kelly.

The tape, which allegedly shows Kelly having sex with a minor and other sexual encounters with women, is being circulated across the country and on the Internet.

Kelly is married to a former dancer from his touring troupe. They have a newborn son and two young daughters.