R. Kelly has submitted a clemency request to the U.S. Department of Justice, asking for a reduction of his combined 30-year prison sentence. The singer’s legal team filed the petition with the DOJ’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, hoping President Donald Trump will consider commuting his sentence. The request comes after Kelly’s appeals were rejected and his conviction remained in place.
Kelly’s attorney, Beau B. Brindley, confirmed on Wednesday, July 15, that he worked with the 59-year-old musician on the clemency petition. The paperwork was submitted one day before the announcement to the DOJ office responsible for reviewing pardon and clemency requests.
The petition seeks a sentence reduction for Kelly’s two federal convictions. He is currently serving his sentence at FCI Butner Medium Security Prison in Butner, North Carolina. A federal court convicted him of racketeering, sex trafficking, and several other federal crimes.
Brindley argued that the racketeering charge from Kelly’s New York case involved what he described as an improper use of power. The attorney also claimed that Kelly has faced serious health concerns while incarcerated, including a potentially dangerous blood clot in his neck.
Details Behind Kelly’s Convictions
Kelly was convicted in New York in September 2021 on nine counts connected to racketeering and sex trafficking. In 2022, he faced another conviction in his Chicago case for producing and receiving child pornography and encouraging a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The musician has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and racketeering. After his convictions, Kelly received a combined 30-year prison sentence, five years of supervised release, and a $100,000 fine.
His legal team later challenged the decision by filing appeals. However, a federal appeals court upheld his conviction in February 2025. After that, Kelly asked the Supreme Court to review his case. However, the court declined his request in June 2025. As a result, his conviction remained in place.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Kelly will not qualify for release until January 2046 if his sentence stays the same.
Kelly’s Legal Team Appeals to Trump
Beau B. Brindley joined Kelly’s legal team in 2024 and previously stated that he planned to seek help from President Donald Trump. The attorney pointed to Kelly’s past connection with Trump, as the singer once lived at Trump Tower in Chicago.
In June 2025, Brindley told People that discussions with individuals connected to Trump had increased after filing legal motions. He said the team believed Trump could play a role in reviewing Kelly’s request.
President Trump has not publicly commented on Kelly’s clemency petition. However, during his administration, Trump has granted pardons in other criminal cases, including those involving reality television personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion in 2022.
R. Kelly’s clemency request is now under review by the Department of Justice. His legal team hopes the petition will lead to a shorter sentence. The final decision will depend on the federal clemency process and whether President Donald Trump chooses to take action.
