R. Kelly Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison, Sex Trafficking Case

 Angela, who witnessed Kelly sexual assault R&B singer Aaliyah and was also sexually assaulted herself in the early ’90s, read her statement directly to Kelly.

“We are no longer the preyed upon individuals that we once were,” she told him. “I am a representation of every woman, boy, child, man that you have ever afflicted with your deplorable, despicable acts. And with that I leave you with yourself, Robert Sylvester Kelly.”

Stephanie, during her searing speech, said she experienced a “suffocating fear” when she was being abused and whenever she saw or heard the singer in the media.

“You are an abuser. You are shameless. You are disgusting. You are self-serving,” she told Kelly in front of the court. “I hope you go to jail for the rest of your life... Now it’s your turn to have your freedom taken from you and it still won’t be an ounce of the freedom you took away from your victims.”

In a press conference following the sentencing, defense attorney Jennifer Bodgy said they will appeal, noting that “for us, it’s just the beginning of the fight.”

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, told journalists at the presser, “Today the sentence shows that the witnesses claimed control over their lives and over their futures. These are voices of mostly Black and Brown women and children that were heard and believed and for whom justice was finally achieved. This is a victory for them, for justice and for future survivors of sexual assault.”

Gloria Alred, standing with Martinez and Jovante, whom she represents, said her clients are relieved at the sentence.

“Together [my clients] were able to fight his power by becoming empowered young women themselves who refuse to be intimidated by him and his enablers,” Alred said. I’m proud of all of them and their many sacrifices made in order to bring R. Kelly, finally, to the bar of justice. They have succeeded in making R. Kelly suffer the consequences of his criminal acts... He will not be able to continue to sexually victimize any underage girls, and protecting other girls has been a major goal of theirs.”