R Kelly news: Singer 'briefly disappears' while being transported from Chicago to New York for court appearance
Lawyer Douglas Anton alleges he couldn't locate the singer after he landed in New Jersey
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.R Kelly briefly went off the grid while being moved from Chicago to New York for a court appearance, according to his attorney.
The singer was in court in Brooklyn on Friday morning on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
He landed in New Jersey on Thursday, after which his attorney Douglas Anton said Kelly became impossible to locate.
“I have spent the hours that followed his landing on the phone with the [Bureau of Prisons] at both New York [Metropolitan Correctional Center] and Brooklyn [Metropolitan Detention Center] trying to locate my client, but no one would provide that information to me, even recognising I am his attorney,” Anton wrote in a letter to judges, according to WDEL.
The lawyer eventually located his client, who was being held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, according to the Bureau of Prisons' website.
Kelly pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges that he allegedly sexually exploited young women and girls who attended his concerts.
The singer was denied bail during the hearing at a Brooklyn federal courtroom.
Anton, Kelly’s attorney, entered the plea to charges of racketeering and sex trafficking before Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione.
Kelly, dressed in blue and orange jail clothes, greeted the judge and answered “yes” when asked if he understood his rights. He was otherwise silent.
The audience in the packed courtroom included more than a dozen supporters of Kelly, one of whom wore a t-shirt that said “Free R Kelly”.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say that Kelly and his entourage allegedly invited women and girls backstage after concerts, kept them from friends and family and made them dependent on him financially.
Anton claimed in a court filing on Wednesday that Kelly’s fans were “dying to be with him” and that the charges amounted to “groupie remorse”.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments