R. Kelly's legal challenges have intensified following recent appellate court decisions that have upheld his convictions and sentences.
In February 2025, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan affirmed Kelly's 2021 convictions for racketeering and sex trafficking, along with his 30-year prison sentence. The court concluded that there was overwhelming evidence demonstrating how Kelly exploited his celebrity status over decades to manipulate and abuse young women and underage girls.
Additionally, in April 2024, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a separate 20-year sentence related to child sex convictions in Chicago. Kelly's defense had argued that the charges were filed beyond the statute of limitations, but the court rejected this claim, maintaining that the sentencing was appropriate.
Furthermore, in October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Kelly's appeal regarding his 2022 federal conviction on charges of child pornography and enticing underage girls for sex. This decision effectively exhausted his avenues for appeal in that case.
These rulings collectively reinforce the severity of Kelly's legal situation, solidifying his convictions and the substantial prison sentences he faces.