Illinois prosecutor drops R. Kelly sexual abuse indictments

State charges against R. Kelly are being dropped in Illinois.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said Monday she is dropping four sexual abuse indictments against the R&B singer.

Kelly, 56, remains in prison after being convicted of racketeering in June 2022 in New York and is awaiting sentencing in Chicago on charges of child pornography, enticement and sex trafficking.

Foxx acknowledged the news was likely disappointing to victims.

“Our office has decided not to expend our limited resources and court time with the indictments,” the prosecutor said.

“Mr. Kelly is looking at the possibility of never walking out of prison again. ... We believe justice has been served,” Foxx added.

The charges will be formally dismissed during a hearing in Chicago on Tuesday.

Kelly won’t be eligible for release for the New York conviction until he is 80. However, he is appealing both federal convictions.

Foxx originally indicted Kelly in Cook County in February 2019 but the case was put on hold while the federal cases were resolved. Foxx urged victims to come forward after Lifetime aired the documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly.”

Kelly is also facing state charges in Hennepin County, Minn. after he was accused of soliciting a 17-year-old girl. That case was also delayed in favor of the federal cases. Local prosecutors have not said whether that case will proceed to trial.

Kelly was previously acquitted of child pornography charges in Chicago in 2008. In his September 2022 trial, prosecutors unsuccessfully argued Kelly and his then-business manager rigged the earlier proceeding.

With News Wire Services