A federal appeals court in Manhattan has upheld R.

The R&B singer, convicted in 2021 for orchestrating a criminal enterprise that exploited women and underage girls, faced additional charges in 2022, resulting in a 20-year sentence for child sex crimes in Chicago.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, a three-judge panel ruled against Kelly’s appeal, concluding that the 58-year-old musician used his fame to manipulate, control, and sexually abuse young women and girls for over two decades.

The court rejected Kelly’s claim that prosecutors failed to prove a racketeering scheme, stating:

“Enabled by a network of managers, assistants, and staff for over 25 years, Kelly leveraged his celebrity status to trap young women in an abusive cycle, isolating them from loved ones and exerting total control over their lives.”

Following the verdict, Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, announced plans to escalate the appeal to the Supreme Court, signaling an ongoing legal battle for the disgraced singer.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.