R. Kelly is set to be sentenced in his sex trafficking case today.
Last September, the R&B singer was convicted on multiple counts of racketeering, with the charges relating to bribery and forced labour.
Prosecutors accused the 55-year-old of exploiting his fame to lure women and underage girls for sex, and said he is still a “serious danger” to the public.
R. Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, had pleaded not guilty to racketeering and eight counts of violating a federal law making it illegal to transport people across state lines for prostitution.
The I Believe I Can Fly singer was found guilty on all nine counts following a six-week trial in Brooklyn, New York.
His conviction carries a minimum sentence of 10 years, but he may receive a sentence of up to life imprisonment for his crimes.
Federal prosecutors have asked for a sentence “in excess of 25 years” though the singer’s own lawyers have asked he receives under 10.
Several victims of his abuses are expected to give victim impact statements to the court, and the singer himself may even make statements, having declined to take the stand during the trial.
R. Kelly, who is from Chicago, has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn since the verdict.
He also faces federal charges in Chicago on child pornography and obstruction, and state charges in Illinois and Minnesota.
