R. Kelly was arrested in Chicago Thursday night (July 11) on federal sex trafficking charges, NBC 4 New York and The Chicago Sun-Times report. According to NBC, Kelly was arrested by Homeland Security Investigation agents and NYPD detectives, and it is expected that he will be brought to New York following the arrest.
The Sun-Times writes that according to a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office, Kelly faces a 13-count sex crime indictment, as well as charges related to child pornography and obstruction of justice.
According to NBC, further details regarding Kelly’s case will be announced Friday (July 12).
In 2019 alone, R. Kelly has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, as well as an additional 11 counts of sexual assault and abuse; the latter charges were against him in May. These charges follow a long history of sexual abuse allegations made against Kelly.
Pitchfork has reached out to R. Kelly’s legal representation for comment.