Source: Scott Olson / Getty
Charges against the singer, which have been known for over two decades, were given a boost following the Lifetime documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”
Singer R. Kelly appeared in court today and his bond was set at $1 million — $250,000 for each of the four people he’s charged with sexually abusing, the judge said.
This was a bail hearing after his arrest on charges of sexual abuse spanning from 1998 to 2010.
Under the terms of his bond, Kelly must surrender his passport and may not have contact with anyone under 18.
His next court appearance is set for Monday.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced Friday the R&B musician, whose full name is Robert Kelly, was indicted on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse — a class two felony — involving four alleged victims.
The indictment accuses Kelly of sexual acts with three children older than 13 but younger than 17. There is no age range listed for one of the alleged victims. The charges say Kelly used force or the threat of force.
His attorney described his client as an innocent man, saying Foxx succumbed to public pressure.
“I think all the women are lying,” attorney Steve Greenberg said. “Mr. Kelly is strong, he’s got a lot of support and he’s going to be vindicated on all these charges — one by one if it has to be.”
Kelly turned himself in Friday night, just hours after Chicago police issued a warrant for his arrest. He arrived in a large, black van wearing a hoodie under an electric blue puffer jacket. He waded through a sea of reporters asking questions like “What do you have to say to the fans?” and “What do you have to say to the black women of Chicago?”
Kelly did not respond. Once he entered the building, he was handcuffed and led away by police. His arraignment is set for March 8.
New evidence involves a tape and an underage girl
Homeland Security Investigations is involved in an investigation of Kelly, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement official said. The official did not provide any details.
A grand jury was convened in Cook County this month in connection with new allegations against Kelly, two sources close to the case told CNN.
Greenberg told CNN this month that he had not been notified of a grand jury. Days before, attorney Michael Avenatti announced he had given the State’s Attorney’s Office a videotape that he said showed Kelly having sex with an underage girl.
“This tape leaves no question as to whether R. Kelly is guilty of multiple sexual, illegal acts against a 14-year-old girl,” he told reporters Friday. He said Foxx’s investigation was “very thorough … dedicated and methodical.”
CNN has seen the VHS tape, which is 42 minutes and 45 seconds, clear and explicit. It appears to show Kelly having sex with a girl who refers to her body parts as 14 years old.
In a news conference Friday, his attorney told reporters he did not know what was on the tape.
READ MORE: News5Cleveland.com
Article Courtesy of CNN and WEWS News 5 Cleveland
First and Second Picture Courtesy of Scott Olson and Getty Images
