Singer R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after using his R&B superstardom to run a racket to abuse women and children.
The singer, 55, was convicted last September in a US federal court in New York on charges of racketeering and eight counts of sex trafficking.
US District Judge Ann Donnelly, who handed down the sentence, said: “These crimes were calculated and carefully planned and regularly executed for almost 25 years.
“Using your status and celebrity… you had a system of people that you used to lure young fans into your orbit.
“Having your minions troll for young people at the mall… handing out your phone number… for the opportunity to meet R Kelly.”
“You fancied yourself a genius that can do ‘whatever I want because of what I give to the world’.”
Outside Brooklyn Federal Court on Wednesday one of Kelly’s victims, Lizette Martinez, said “it was a very special but hard day”.
“I never thought I would be here to see him held accountable for the atrocious things he did,” she said, tearing up.
“I don’t know what else to say, except that I am grateful, I am grateful for today.”
Another victim, Jovante Cunningham, said: “There wasn’t a day in my life that I actually believed the judicial system would come through for black and brown girls.”
Kelly listened as seven women read moving victim impact statements in court during the hearing. He did not appear to react as his sentence was handed down.
One victim known as Angela said he was a “pied piper” who lured children with his money and fame, and she prayed that God would reach his soul.
Another woman directly addressed the singer, saying: “Robert, you destroyed so many people’s lives.”
Others described how they were made to feel special by the celebrity only to be abused, how they were scared for their life, and how they have been waiting for this day to come.
“I literally wished I would die because of how low you made me feel,” said one unnamed survivor, directly addressing a Kelly who kept his hands folded and his eyes downcast. “Do you remember that?”
The final victim to speak, Sonja, said: “I hope and I pray to God that we can all heal.”
Prosecutors had argued that Kelly, who became a household name with songs such as “I Believe I Can Fly”, should be jailed for more than 25 years.
They say he demonstrated a "callous disregard" for his victims and showed no remorse.
Lawyers for Kelly said he deserved no more than 10 years, the mandatory minimum, arguing his history as an abused child may have led to his adult “hypersexuality” and that he no longer poses a risk.
Kelly’s lawyer Jennifer Bonjean said her client is “widely accepted as a musical genius”. She said Kelly was sexually abused as a child while being raised by a single mother in a “highly chaotic home”.
“Mr Kelly rejects that he’s this monster,” Ms Bonjean said.
Kelly declined to make a statement.
US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, said survivors of sexual abuse must be heard.
“I hope this sentence serves as a testimony that it doesn’t matter how powerful your abuser may be…or how small they may make you feel, justice only hears the truth.”
He thanked the “brave survivors”.
“It is thanks to you that we were able to deliver justice today,” he said.
The sentencing follows a six-week trial in September in which 45 witnesses were called.
A jury convicted the singer after hearing how he trafficked women across different US states over two decades, assisted by his entourage of staff.
Victims testified that Kelly subjected them to threats and punishments if they disobeyed his orders.
The court also heard how Kelly had illegally obtained paperwork to marry singer Aaliyah when she was 15 in 1994, with the marriage certificate falsely listing her age as 18.
He was 27 at the time. The marriage was later annulled.
Aaliyah worked with Kelly, who wrote and produced her 1994 debut album, "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number,” and died in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22.
The singer has yet to face federal child pornography and obstruction of justice charges in Chicago, where a trial is scheduled to begin August 15.
He also faces state charges in Illinois and Minnesota.
The singer, real name Robert Sylvester Kelly, has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn since his conviction.
He is known for songs including his first number one single “Bump N’ Grind” and 1996 smash hit “I Believe I Can Fly”.
The latter became an inspirational anthem played at school graduations, weddings, in advertisements and elsewhere, including the inauguration of former US president Barack Obama in 2008.
