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CONFIRMED: R. Kelly has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, per Cook County court records
10 counts under four different indictments. Three of the indictments involve a minor from the ages of 13-16 but it’s unclear how many victims were involved
Press conference with Cook County State’s Attorney’s office slated for 2 pm. 
I am en route to state’s attorney’s press conference - we are continually updating our story here as things develop. chicagotribune.com/news/local/bre…
And follow me and @jmetr22b for updates
And follow me and @jmetr22b for updates
this is markedly different from the last time Kelly was charged in Cook County -- that was for child pornography, whereas this is alleging specific sexual contact between Kelly and four different victims.
Kelly was acquitted of those charges at a jury trial in 2008. The alleged victim in that tape, which purportedly showed Kelly having sexual contact with his underage goddaughter, did not cooperate with the prosecution in that case.
SAO spokeswoman confirming that Kelly is expected in bond court tomorrow between 12:30 and 1.
She also said Foxx will not be taking questions, which is a shame, because I have many
The warrant is to hold him without bail until a bond hearing can be conducted
^ the presser was basically just reading this nearly verbatim - no questions taken, no info other than what you read above.
I have confirmed with Kelly’s attorney that they’re making arrangements for him to turn himself in.
Notable that one of the incidents charged -- a February 2003 allegation of sexual abuse -- occurred WHILE Kelly was fighting his child pornography charges, which were brought the year before
And now I’m waiting on the Avenatti presser. He met a week ago with bigwigs in the state’s attorney’s office and has been teasing charges ever since
Avenatti says he represents two victims, two parents and two people he calls "Whistleblowers." Says he's been conducting a quiet investigation since last year.
The tape he uncovered "leaves no question" that Kelly is guilty of multiple illegal sexual acts against a 14-year-old girl. Dates to approx 1999, he says.
More than 10 separate times on the video both the victim and Kelly reference the victim's age as 14, Avenatti says. "This was in no way role playing during some sexual act, it is clear that this young lady was 14 years of age."
Video depicts Kelly engaging in oral, vaginal and anal sex, per Avenatti, and shows him urinating on the girl.
Avenatti says he is aware of two other tapes, one of which he has recovered. Plans to turn both over to Foxx's office.
Kelly's victims were "among the most vulnerable in our society ... girls that came from very tough times and tough neighborhoods .. and yet this predator Mr. Kelly preyed on them repeatedly."
Still no answer to what everyone wants to know, which is whether the tape Avenatti recovered can be directly linked to any of the charges announced today
He declines to answer whether he is representing the alleged victim on the videotape.
He is representing one individual in one of today's indictments, he says. Declines to give further detail.
Incidents on the videotape ARE linked to some of the charges in the indictment, Avenatti says.
There were "all kinds of shenanigans" that obstructed justice and led to Kelly's acquittal in 2008, Avenatti says.
"The fix was in the first time," in his words.
"People very close to R Kelly participated in this conduct and enabled it," Avenatti said ... "if he was charged and convicted, their payday would end, and that is the prominent reason why they engaged in this conduct."
One of the alleged victims in today's indictments is depicted in one of the other two videos that Avenatti has sought, he confirms.
He represents two of the parents of one of the women who is believed to be with Kelly right now
He is not willing to disclose whether his client - one of the alleged victims connected to today's charges - is cooperating with prosecutors.
But he did just say that all of his many clients would be willing to go before a jury, so I don't know how to square that and he didn't take my follow-up question.
I am outside a Chicago police district station waiting for Kelly’s anticipated surrender. In the meantime read the full story from me and @jmetr22b chicagotribune.com/news/local/bre…
Sounds like he is en route.
Kelly’s attorney just walked into the station
Kelly walked into the 001st District station through a crowd of shouting reporters, and was taken through the lobby handcuffed into lockup
Kelly surrenders to police
Waiting on his attorney to make a statement now.
A woman in the lobby just made a very excited phone call. “Guess who I seen go to jail just now?”
attorney Steve Greenberg vehemently denies all the allegations.
And says the alleged victim in the tape from the 2008 trial is evidently the same alleged victim in the new Avenatti tape
(Though he denies having seen the video)
And says the alleged victim in the tape from the 2008 trial is evidently the same alleged victim in the new Avenatti tape
(Though he denies having seen the video)
All of the women accusing R Kelly are liars, Greenberg says, transparently out to make a buck.
Greenberg spoke to reporters outside the station, with Kelly’s blue coat stuffed into an evidence bag at his side.
“Mr. Kelly is strong, he’s got a lot of support, and he’s going to be vindicated on all these charges, one by one if it has to be,” he said.
“Mr. Kelly is strong, he’s got a lot of support, and he’s going to be vindicated on all these charges, one by one if it has to be,” he said.
With that I am going home. Back at it tomorrow for Kelly’s bond court appearance.
“Chicago Man Charged with Criminal Sexual Abuse”
Here’s R. Kelly’s CPD mugshot
