R. Kelly’s Prison Sentence: 5 Shocking New Updates On His Life Behind Bars And Failed Appeals

As of December 2025, Robert Sylvester Kelly, the disgraced R&B superstar known as R. Kelly, remains incarcerated in a federal prison, serving a decades-long sentence for his numerous convictions. His legal battles are far from over, with his attorneys filing aggressive motions for release, citing shocking new claims about his safety and health inside the correctional facility. This article provides the most current and verified details on his status, location, convictions, and the dramatic, ongoing legal fight to overturn his sentence. The question of "Is R. Kelly in prison?" is unequivocally answered with a "Yes," but the story of his confinement is a complex and evolving saga involving multiple trials, concurrent sentences, and recent, highly publicized appeals that have been rejected by the federal courts. The latest updates reveal a volatile situation for the singer, whose legal team alleges his life is in danger from the very system designed to hold him.

Robert Sylvester Kelly: Biography and Convictions Profile

Robert Sylvester Kelly, born January 8, 1967, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former professional basketball player. His career, spanning three decades, made him one of the most successful R&B artists of all time, earning him the title "The King of R&B."

• Full Name: Robert Sylvester Kelly
• Date of Birth: January 8, 1967
• Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer
• Primary Convictions: Racketeering, Sex Trafficking, Violating the Mann Act, Child Pornography, and Obstruction of Justice.
• New York Trial (2021): Convicted on all nine counts, including racketeering conspiracy and eight counts of violating the Mann Act.
• Chicago Trial (2022): Convicted on six of 13 counts, including child pornography and enticement of a minor.
• Total Sentence: A combined 31 years in federal prison.
• Current Incarceration Facility: Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Butner, North Carolina.

Where Is R. Kelly Now? Inside FCI Butner

Following his convictions, R. Kelly was eventually transferred to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Butner, a low-security federal prison located in Butner, North Carolina.

FCI Butner is situated in Granville County and is part of a larger federal correctional complex. It is notable for housing a number of high-profile inmates, including infamous white-collar criminals. The transfer to the North Carolina facility from the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Chicago took place some time after his sentencing.

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The disgraced singer is currently serving a cumulative sentence of 31 years. This sentence is the result of two separate federal trials: the New York trial, which resulted in a 30-year sentence, and the Chicago trial, which resulted in a concurrent 20-year sentence.

The Failed Appeals: 30-Year Sentence Upheld

In a major blow to his defense team, R. Kelly’s convictions and 30-year prison sentence were recently upheld by a federal appeals court. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected the appeal, affirming the guilty verdict on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. This decision effectively cemented the length of his incarceration, signaling that the initial 30-year term will stand. The appeal challenged the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) and Mann Act convictions, which were central to the New York case.

This legal setback means that, barring a successful appeal to the Supreme Court or a successful motion for compassionate release, the singer will remain in federal custody for decades. The legal team’s attempts to overturn the ruling based on a statute of limitations argument were also unsuccessful.

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Shocking Claims: Murder Plot and Near-Fatal Overdose

The most recent and alarming updates from R. Kelly’s legal camp focus on his safety and health within the prison walls. His attorneys have filed motions seeking his release or transfer, claiming that his life is in imminent danger.

• Alleged Murder Plot: R. Kelly's lawyers have publicly claimed that the singer is the target of a "murder plot" orchestrated by unnamed entities. This serious allegation is part of the defense team's strategy to argue for his removal from the current facility.
• Near-Fatal Overdose: Perhaps the most shocking claim involves a reported hospitalization. R. Kelly's attorney stated that the singer was hospitalized after a near-fatal "overdose" that the defense attributed to the negligence of Bureau of Prisons staff at the federal center in North Carolina. The defense argues that the staff's actions (or inaction) put his life at risk, further justifying their request for his immediate release.

These dramatic claims paint a picture of a celebrity inmate facing extreme duress. While the Bureau of Prisons has not commented extensively on the specific allegations, the filings highlight the intense, ongoing legal maneuvering surrounding the convicted singer. The defense is actively trying to leverage these claims to secure a compassionate release, arguing that the conditions of his confinement violate his rights and endanger his life.

The Impact of the Trials and Co-Defendants

The two federal trials in New York and Chicago were landmark cases that brought the long-standing accusations against R. Kelly to a definitive conclusion. The New York trial, which focused on racketeering and sex trafficking, established a pattern of criminal enterprise that used his fame to exploit victims.

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The Chicago trial focused on child pornography and obstruction of justice charges. Interestingly, in the Chicago case, two of R. Kelly’s co-defendants, former business manager Derrel McDavid and aide Milton "June" Brown, were acquitted of some of the charges they faced. The fact that these co-defendants were cleared on certain counts, while R. Kelly was convicted, underscores the jury’s focus on the singer's direct role in the crimes.

The convictions were a culmination of decades of alleged sexual abuse, which spanned from 1991 to 2018, as detailed in numerous public reports and investigations. The legal process has resulted in a significant restitution award, including $300,668 to one victim identified as "Jane" in court documents.