By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
R&B singer and convicted sex offender R. Kelly was recently hospitalized from a federal prison in North Carolina after experiencing a medical emergency, according to new court filings reviewed by The Guardian.
The incident has heightened ongoing efforts by Kelly’s attorneys to secure his release from custody.
The 58-year-old, serving a 30-year sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, reportedly collapsed in his cell early on June 13. His legal team claims that Kelly had been held in solitary confinement since June 10 and was administered medication by prison staff with instructions to take it. The filings describe that Kelly showed severe symptoms that morning, including feeling “faint,” “dizzy,” and seeing “black spots” in his vision.
The court documents detail, “Kelly awoke in the early morning hours of June 13, feeling ‘faint’ and ‘dizzy,’ and ‘he started to see black spots in his vision’.” They further state that Kelly attempted to stand but fell to the ground, crawled to his cell door, and then lost consciousness.
Prison staff reportedly called emergency services, and Kelly was transported to Duke University Hospital for treatment.
At the hospital, Kelly’s attorneys claim he was informed he had been given a dangerously high dose of his prescribed medication, which they describe as a “medication overdose that threatened his life.” Kelly remained hospitalized for two days, the filings indicate.
This incident comes as Kelly’s legal team has filed an emergency motion seeking his transfer to home detention. The motion also makes controversial allegations that officials within the Bureau of Prisons conspired to facilitate an attack on Kelly by another inmate, claims strongly denied by federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors have dismissed these allegations, emphasizing Kelly’s criminal history. “Kelly is a prolific child molester,” they stated. “He is unapologetic about it. Kelly has never taken responsibility for his years of sexually abusing children, and he probably never will.” They added,
“Kelly now asks this court to release him from incarceration indefinitely under the guise of a fanciful conspiracy. Kelly’s motion makes a mockery of the harm suffered by Kelly’s victims.”
Kelly, convicted in 2021 on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, is currently serving a 30-year sentence. In a separate case, he received an additional 20-year sentence for child pornography and enticement of minors, to be served concurrently.
The Bureau of Prisons has declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing litigation.