R. Kelly Placed in Solitary Confinement Amid Alleged Overdose and Claims of Murder Plot
Embattled R&B singer R. Kelly, who is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking, was placed in solitary confinement on June 10 under controversial circumstances, according to his legal team.
Attorneys representing the 58-year-old singer allege he was hospitalized last week after receiving an “overdose quantity” of medication administered by prison staff. The incident reportedly occurred on June 12, two days after Kelly was allegedly placed in solitary confinement against his will.
In an emergency court motion filed on June 17 and obtained by USA TODAY, Kelly’s lawyers claim the medication left him feeling faint and disoriented. “He started to see black spots in his vision. Mr. Kelly tried to get up, but fell to the ground,” the filing reads. “He crawled to the door of the cell and lost consciousness.”
Kelly was subsequently transported by ambulance to Duke University Hospital, where he remained for two days before being discharged—reportedly against medical advice. His attorneys have since accused three Bureau of Prisons officials of orchestrating a plan to have him killed by another inmate, prompting their request for temporary furlough.
Federal prosecutors have pushed back strongly on the claims, dismissing them as outlandish and legally unfounded. In a response filed Monday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Julien described Kelly’s allegations as “fanciful” and “deeply unserious,” asserting they make “a mockery of the harm suffered” by his victims.
“Kelly has never taken responsibility for his years of sexually abusing children, and he probably never will,” Julien wrote in the filing, as cited by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Prosecutors further argued that Kelly’s request to be released on temporary home detention is “repugnant,” emphasizing that the presiding judge in Friday’s scheduled hearing lacks jurisdiction to grant such relief. Julien warned that granting Kelly’s motion could set a dangerous precedent.
“Imagine a scenario where any and every incarcerated criminal could go back to the criminal court that imposed a sentence, allege imminent harm, and demand release while the matter is investigated,” Julien added. “Every convicted murderer, rapist, and terrorist would have a newfound shot at freedom.”
Kelly, whose criminal conduct prosecutors claim dates back to the 1990s during President Bill Clinton’s first term, was convicted in 2021 and began serving his sentence in 2022. He continues to deny all allegations of wrongdoing.