Singer R. Kelly was arrested Thursday by federal agents on charges that include child pornography, enticement of a minor, and obstruction of justice, the New York Times reported.
Kelly faces a 13-count federal indictment, Assistant United States attorney Joseph D. Fitzpatrick told the Times.
New York’s WNBC-TV, which first reported Kelly’s arrest, said the singer was apprehended by New York City police detectives and Homeland Security agents in Chicago, and is expected to be brought to New York for trial.
Representatives for Kelly, the NYPD, and Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests from TheWrap for comment. But according to Rolling Stone, a representative for Kelly, Darrell Johnson, will give a press conference at 9:30 a.m. ET Friday in Atlanta to address the matter.
Thursday’s arrest is only the latest legal trouble for the “Ignition (Remix)” singer since the January release of the Lifetime documentary “Surviving R. Kelly,” which detailed several accusations of sexual misconduct.
Kelly, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was subsequently dropped by his longtime label, Sony Music, and several former collaborators disavowed him, including Lady Gaga.
In February, Kelly was indicted on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, based on accusations from four different accusers. Three of the accusers were under the age of 17 at the time they say the incidents took place, according to Cook County prosecutors. Kelly pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In May, 11 additional felony counts were filed against him, including four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault by force, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a victim between the ages of 13 and 16.