A US federal appeals court has upheld R. Kelly's 20-year prison sentence for child pornography and related crimes, dismissing the R&B singer's argument that the case was filed too late. Despite Kelly's defense that the statute of limitations had expired when he was charged, the Chicago court rejected this claim on Friday.

Judge Amy St. Eve, writing on behalf of the three-panel bench, emphasized the severity of Kelly's crimes, noting that he had abused underage girls for years and used elaborate schemes to silence his victims. The court affirmed his conviction, stating that the statute of limitations did not preclude prosecution for his offenses.

Currently serving a 30-year sentence following a separate federal trial in Brooklyn where he was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges, Kelly's two sentences will run concurrently, with a maximum total of 31 years in prison. His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, indicated that Kelly intends to appeal the latest decision to the Supreme Court, expressing disappointment but determination to continue the legal battle.

Kelly's legal troubles extend back to September 2022 when he was convicted by a New York court on six of 13 counts, including producing child pornography and enticing a minor. His federal conviction in Chicago, one year later, marked a significant moment for the #MeToo movement, as it was the first major sex abuse trial where most accusers were Black women.

Despite Kelly's earlier success in the music industry, including global fame with hits like "I Believe I Can Fly," his personal life was marred by controversy, including his marriage to 15-year-old protege Aaliyah. Allegations of sexual misconduct persisted for years, with Chicago reporter Jim DeRogatis receiving anonymous tapes in the early 2000s purportedly showing Kelly engaging in sexual acts with minors.

Following a series of legal battles and public outcry fueled by documentaries and grassroots movements like "Mute R. Kelly," prosecutors eventually pursued charges against Kelly in multiple jurisdictions, resulting in his federal convictions in both New York and Illinois.

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