Prosecutors in Illinois are set to convene a grand jury to hear evidence against embattled singer R. Kelly in a sex trafficking case.
Prosecutors plan to present evidence against Kelly including witness testimony, communications and physical evidence, according to a report published Tuesday by TMZ. Witness testimony claims Kelly bought plane tickets and hotel rooms for underage girls.
NOW: R. Kelly arrives at courthouse in Chicago for a hearing on his sex abuse case.@cbschicago pic.twitter.com/iTYNlZJfaN
— Audrina Bigos (@AudrinaBigos) May 7, 2019
Prosecutors have uncovered communication between Kelly’s team to coordinate and set up travel. Additionally, prosecutors plan to show physical evidence including semen-stained clothing. The sex trafficking case is separate from the “Ignition” singer’s ongoing sexual abuse case.
The grand jury is reportedly set to convene later this month.
As previously reported, Kelly appeared in court Tuesday to challenge the sex tapes Michael Avenatti turned over to prosecutors. The pop singer claims Avenatti “bullied” Chicago prosecutor Kim Foxx. Kelly cited Foxx’s recent actions in Jussie Smollett’s case as (RELATED: R. Kelly Back In Court To Challenge Sex Tapes, Alleging Michael Avenatti ‘Bullied’ Kim Foxx)
Avenatti turned over two tapes to prosecutors apparently showing Kelly involved in sexual intercourse with underage girls, one of which is apparently 14-years-old.
R. Kelly due back in court for hearing on sex-abuse case https://t.co/g4Mo6F730O pic.twitter.com/BTuGu3T12h
— billboard (@billboard) May 7, 2019
The tapes resulted in Kelly being charged with 10 counts of sexual abuse. The “I Believe I Can Fly” singer has been the focus of multiple investigations after the Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly” aired in January.