FOG BLOG U.S. JUSTICE LOG: R. KELLY SENTENCED TO 30 YRS FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILDREN!

R. Kelly Is Sentenced to 30 Years for Scheme to Lure Children Into Sex The R&B singer, 55, is likely to spend much of the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of years of psychological and sexual abuse. Thirty-one years ago, R. Kelly, a budding R&B artist from Chicago in his mid-20s, was signed to his first major record label. Around the same time, he began having sex with a 15-year-old girl, according to her subsequent lawsuit. For the victims of the R&B singer R. Kelly, his sentencing in New York on Wednesday has been long awaited, arriving after decades of accusations of sexual and physical abuse. But Wednesday’s decision aside, the former entertainer will remain in deep legal peril — and any prison term he faces could still ultimately grow. Mr. Kelly is scheduled to stand trial again in Chicago on Aug. 15, where he faces federal charges for producing child pornography and luring minors into sex acts. Lizzette Martinez, one of the victims who spoke earlier at the hearing, told reporters she was an “up and coming singer, a girl full of life” before she met R. Kelly and became “a sex slave.”

“I personally don’t think it’s enough but I’m pleased with it,” she said of his 30-year sentence. Gloria Allred, the lawyer for the victims, addressed reporters outside of the courthouse, with at least one of the women who gave statements today behind her. “They wanted the court to understand their pain,” she said.

“Together they were able to fight his power by becoming empowered,” she added. “I’m proud of all of them.”

Allred said they are “relieved he has been sent to prison.”

“Protecting other girls has been a major goal,” she said.