R. Kelly arrested on new child porn charges

Jet, Feb 10, 2003

R&B singer R. Kelly, already facing child pornography charges in Illinois, was arrested in Florida recently on additional child pornography charges after investigators said they found photos of him having sex with a female minor.

Kelly, known for hits ranging from the Grammy-winning inspirational tune I Believe I Can Fly to racy songs such as Bump `n' Grind and Feelin' on Yo Booty, was in Miami on a court-approved visit to film a music video for his new single, Ignition. He was arrested at a Miami hotel and charged with 12 counts of possession of child pornography. The 36-year-old was released from jail on $12,000 bond about three hours after his arrest.

A statement issued by Kelly's representative, Allan Mayer, called the arrest "a classic case of piling on, in which a local jurisdiction tries to make headlines by attaching itself to a celebrity case."

"As far as we can tell, the charges all relate to R. Kelly's arrest last summer. In other words, there is nothing new here," he said in a statement.

Kelly, whose first name is Robert, has been out on bond and awaiting trial on 21 counts of child pornography in Chicago (JET, June 24, 2002). Those charges stem from a videotape authorities say shows him having sex with a 13-year-old girl. Kelly has denied that charge.

Col. Grady Judd of the Polk County (FL) Sheriffs Office said the latest charges were filed after pornographic digital images were found stored in Kelly's camera equipment, which had been seized last June during a search of Kelly's Davenport, FL, home after his arrest there on the Illinois warrant.

"In three of the photos, he is engaged in sexual conduct with a minor," Judd said.

In addition to alleged images of Kelly having sex with the girl, the photos show the underage girl in various other sex acts, authorities said.

Judd said it took seven months to issue the Polk County warrant because the State Attorney's Office needed time to investigate. Judd would not say whether the unidentiffed minor in the photos was the same girl in the video made in Chicago, where Kelly lives. Police were still trying to determine where the photos were taken before considering any additional charges, Judd said.

Kelly recently was nominated for a Grammy for the song The World's Greatest from the Ali soundtrack. His new album, Chocolate Factory, is scheduled for release this month.