R&B singer Al Kelly (54), famous for his hit song 'I believe I can fly' and others, has been found guilty of sexual exploitation of minors.



According to foreign media such as CNBC in the United States on the 27th local time, a Brooklyn federal jury found Kelly guilty of nine charges, including prostitution and sexual assault against women and minors for over 20 years.

The final sentence is expected to be given on May 4 next year, and it is said that if the court upholds the jury's decision, there is a possibility that he could be sentenced to life in prison.



The trial lasted five weeks with 50 witnesses, including the victim.



Some of the victims appeared in court and gave specific testimonies about Kelly's perverted sex crimes they had committed.



One of the victims revealed that Kelly had forced her to have sex and forced her to film the scene.

Another victim claimed that Kelly forced Kelly to write a confidential pledge about her relationship, and that if she broke the pledge, she suffered threats, including assault.



Many of the victims were Kelly's fans or aspiring singers, some of whom were reportedly minors.



▲ Marriage certificate issued by falsifying the age of Aliya, who was 15 at the time, into 18.


In 1994, when Kelly was 27, she was found guilty of forging ID cards to marry 15-year-old R&B singer Aliya (died in 2001).



Prosecutors also charged Kelly's manager, who helped Kelly's sexual exploitation by intimidating the victims, and other people nearby, including aiding in the crime.



"I applaud the courage of the victims who shared their horrific memories in open court," said Prosecutor Jacqueline Casullis. "He said.



▲ Attorney Gloria Allred answers questions after the trial


Gloria Allred, a lawyer who represented three of the victims, said, "Over the past 47 years, I've dealt with many cases of power-based sex crimes, including Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein, but Al Kelly was the worst."



However, Kelly's attorney countered, "It is disappointing that the prosecution in this controversial case is itself disappointing."



Meanwhile, Kelly, who appeared in court on the same day, was reported to have kept her head down and not moved after the jury's verdict.

He was also charged with child pornography in 2008, but was acquitted.



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(Photo = Yonhap News, captured from YouTube 'NBC News')