Federal prosecutors asked a U.S. District Court judge to sentence R. Kelly to a minimum of 25 years in prison in a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday. Kelly was convicted of racketeering, kidnapping, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child, and bribery by a Brooklyn jury last year.
According to TheRoot, Prosecutors also suggested that he be fined between $50,000 and $250,000. Kelly’s legal team included celebrity attorney Jennifer Bonjean, who previously represented clients such as Bill Cosby. The 31-page memorandum details Kelly’s disturbing history and why they believe this sentence is just:
“With the aid of his inner circle and over a period of decades, the defendant preyed upon children and young women for his own sexual gratification. He lured young girls and boys into his orbit, often through empty or conditioned promises of assistance in developing a career in the entertainment industry or simply by playing into the minors’ understandable desire to meet and spend time with a popular celebrity.”
“In order to carry out his many crimes, the defendant relied upon his fame, money and popularity as an R&B recording star and used the large network of people his status afforded him – including his business managers, security guards and bouncers, runners, lawyers, accountants, and assistants to both carry-out and conceal his crimes. He continued his crimes and avoided punishment for them for almost 30 years and must now be held to account.”
Read more: R Kelly Arrested in Fresh Sex Charges by Federal Authorities

R. Kelly abused young Black women and girls for decades. The 2019 two-season Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly” explored his predatory behavior in depth. Interviews with alleged victims and their families were also included. R. Kelly, 55, is scheduled to be sentenced in the Eastern District of New York on June 29.