The sentence will be served simultaneously with his New York sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering convictions.
A federal judge in Illinois sentenced R&B singer R. Kelly to 20 years in prison for his conviction last year on six counts of child sex crimes.
Judge Harry Leinenweber rejected prosecutors’ request for 25 years to be served consecutively with his 30 year sentence on similar charges in New York. Instead, Leinenweber ordered all but one year to be served concurrently with the New York sentence, according to the Associated Press.
The judge agreed with prosecutors that the nature of the offenses Kelly committed “is … horrific,” but also agreed with his defense that a sentence Kelly wouldn’t live to see the end of a consecutive 50 years in prison.
“He has a life expectancy of not a hell of a lot more,” he said. “He is 56 years of age.”
John Lausch, the US Attorney in Chicago, said he was disappointed that Kelly wasn’t sentenced to consecutive terms in prison but added that “20 years is a significant sentence, and we are happy that that was imposed in this case.”
Two of Kelly’s accusers asked the judge for harsh sentences on Thursday.
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“When your virginity is taken by a pedophile at 14 … your life is never your own,” a statement by the accuser known as Jane read.
Another accuser, using the pseudonym Nia, appeared in court and spoke directly to Kelly, who, she said, would frequently point our her faults while abusing her.
“Now you are here … because there is something wrong with you,” she said. “No longer will you be able to harm children.”
Chicago jurors convicted Kelly last year on three counts of producing child porn and three counts of enticement of minors for sex. Earlier in New York, he was convicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
The singer is appealing both convictions.
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