Federal Judge Denies R. Kelly’s Bid for Home Detention

A federal judge in Chicago on Thursday rejected R. Kelly’s emergency request to be released to home detention, ruling she lacked the authority to intervene in his claims that federal officials are plotting to kill him in prison.

The 58-year-old singer’s legal team argued earlier this month that his life is in danger, alleging that prison officials and inmates conspired to harm him and sabotage his defense by intercepting privileged legal correspondence. They also claimed he was overdosed on medication and denied proper medical care.

U.S. District Judge Martha Pacold denied the motion, stating Kelly is incarcerated in North Carolina, outside her jurisdiction. She noted that the court could only act if Kelly were challenging his conviction or sentence—not his current prison conditions.

Prosecutors blasted the motion, calling the allegations “repugnant” and accusing Kelly of refusing to accept responsibility for his crimes, which include convictions for child pornography, racketeering, and sex trafficking.

Kelly is serving a 30-year sentence at FCI Butner in North Carolina and is expected to remain behind bars until 2045.