A relative of an associate of R. Kelly has been sentenced to eight years in prison for intimidating a witness in the criminal case against the singer. In June last year, he set fire to a car in front of the house where the witness was staying at the time.
He did that to prevent the witness from cooperating in the case against the singer. Detectives later discovered that the man had searched the Internet for explosive properties of fertilizers and diesel engines. He had also looked for ways to intimidate witnesses and for countries that do not have an extradition treaty with the United States.
“Intimidating witnesses and threatening crime victims undermine our justice system and will never be tolerated,” the prosecutor said. “Justice will use all means against those who commit violence to silence victims and obstruct justice.”
The man was arrested two months after the fire. Two others were also arrested on suspicion of bribery and intimidation of witnesses. The cases against those two men are still pending.
sexual exploitation
R. Kelly was born at the end of September found guilty to human trafficking for the purpose of forced prostitution and sexual exploitation, and extortion. According to American media he risks years in prison. The sentence will be determined on May 4.
Since the 1990s, several women have accused Kelly of sexual abuse. He gained fame with world hits If I could turn back the hands of time on I believe I can fly. The abuse was widely reported in the documentary in 2019 Surviving R. Kelly. He was arrested a few months after the documentary was released.
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