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CNN Live Today

Singer R. Kelly to be Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

Aired June 05, 2002 - 14:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Grammy award winner R. Kelly is facing child pornography charges.

Reports say a controversial videotape supposedly shows the singer having sex with a minor.

CNN's Jeff Flock joins us now from Chicago, where a news conference is about to take place -- Jeff.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Carol. In about 45 minutes, and CNN has now confirmed that, in fact, singer R. Kelly has been indicted. Twenty-one counts, child pornography. This according to a source in the Cooke County state's attorney's office.

Now, we don't know that they are all felony counts, but we can tell you that each felony charge carries with it a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

So, 21 counts and, again, not sure if they are all felony counts.

What we can tell you about Mr. Kelly is that according to Chicago police, he is not yet in custody, but they do, in the area of high- profile defendants have -- it is customary for them to be able to arrange a time where they will turn themselves in. But at this point, R. Kelly not yet in custody.

CNN has also learned that Mr. Kelly has retained a high-profile Chicago defense attorney, a man we know well, Ed Jenson (ph), who has represented a number of high-profile clients. He is described as the kind of man that, if you are in criminal trouble in Chicago, the kind of man that you want to have representing you.

Again, more details on all of this. Twenty-one counts. In about 45 minutes, when the Chicago police department and Cooke County state's attorney Dick Devine meet with reporters here inside police headquarters in Chicago.

That's what we know at this hour, Carol. Back to you.

LIN: All right, Jeff, thank you very much. We'll be checking in with you in about 45 minutes when that news conference expected to start in Chicago.

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