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CNN Live At Daybreak

R. Kelly Indicted on 21 Counts of Child Pornography

Aired June 06, 2002 - 06:44   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now one of the biggest rhythm and blues stars of today is hoping to beat the rap on child pornography charges. R. Kelly, best known for his hit "I Believe I Can Fly," is locked up this morning on 21 counts of child pornography.

Tampa Bay News 9 reporter Al Zimmerman has the story from Polk County, Florida.

Hi there, Al.

AL ZIMMERMAN, TAMPA BAY NEWS 9 REPORTER: Good morning, Fredricka.

Yes, actually, R. Kelly, from what we understand, will be at the courthouse -- the Polk County courthouse just behind us at 1:00 Eastern Time facing a judge for the first time based on these charges that were filed in Chicago. Kelly actually owns rental property here in Polk County, Florida. That's why he was here. They arrested him yesterday.

Now as for a quick geography lesson, Polk County is in between Tampa and Orlando. In fact, from where I'm standing we're probably a 45-minute drive from Disney World. And this is the place or not too far from here, actually, that Kelly was arrested. But again, those 21 counts are on enticing sex acts and videotaping a pornographic video charges.

It involves a 14-year-old girl. And what's interesting here is that the charges are based on pornography that was shot sometime after October 1997 and the girl who's involved in this case, well the alleged victim as she's called, well, she hasn't even turned 18 yet. She'll be 18 in September.

But again, R. Kelly, famous musician, and as you mentioned, his most famous song, I guess, "I Believe I Can Fly," he will be here in the Polk County courthouse at 1:00 Eastern Time. And they will also talk about his extradition back to Chicago -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Now, Al, had he turned himself in or was he stopped while making his travels in Polk County?

ZIMMERMAN: Well, here's what happened. His attorney actually told prosecutors, hey look, let's make a deal, we'll -- he'll turn himself in, he'll surrender. But prosecutors said, no -- no thanks, we don't want a deal. We'll find him ourselves. And obviously they did right here in Central Florida yesterday.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thank you very much, Al Zimmerman from Polk County.

So today we'll be seeing R. Kelly in the courthouse or at least some will be seeing him in the courthouse today as he faces those charges officially.

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