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American pop singer R. Kelly was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in US federal prison for racketeering, sex trafficking and having sex with underage girls.
"Kelly relied upon his fame, money and popularity as an R&B recording star," said prosecutors. "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 carryout and conceal his crimes."
Kelly, a convicted sexual predator, was found guilty last September.
Nearly four dozen witnesses testified for the prosecution during the trial.
They said Kelly was preying on children and women for his sexual gratification.
In addition, Kelly was convicted in a bribery scheme involving a public official to get a fake ID for the late singer, Aaliyah, who was 15 when Kelly was 27.
Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 when she was 22. Kelly produced her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number.
Kelly declined to make a statement after the sentencing.
His defense team asked for less than 14 years, citing Kelly's traumatic childhood.
He revealed in a 2016 interview that a female family member sexually abused him.
The defense also painted a picture that his accusers were motivated by money.
Kelly could have faced life in prison.
"He continued his crimes and avoided punishment for them for almost 30 years," said prosecutors. "And must now be held to account." -
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