R&B singer R. Kelly, currently serving a 30-year federal prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking, was hospitalized last week following an alleged overdose on medication administered by prison staff, according to court documents filed by his legal team on June 17, 2025.
The documents claim Kelly—born Robert Sylvester Kelly—received an "overdose quantity" of medication on June 12, after being placed in solitary confinement two days earlier at the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Butner in North Carolina. The dosage allegedly exceeded his prescribed levels for anxiety and sleep medication, resulting in symptoms including dizziness, blackouts, and loss of consciousness. He was hospitalized at Duke University Hospital on June 13, where he remained under care for two days.
The filing further claims Kelly was forcibly removed from the hospital against medical advice, despite being scheduled for surgery to treat serious blood clots in his lungs. "His life is in jeopardy right now because the Bureau of Prisons denied him necessary surgery," the motion states. "He could die from this condition, and they are letting it happen."
Alleged Plot and Emergency Motion
Kelly’s attorneys allege that the overdose followed a murder-for-hire plot involving three Bureau of Prisons officials, who they claim attempted to arrange for Kelly to be killed by another inmate. These claims were included in an emergency motion for his release from prison earlier this month.
According to the updated filing, Kelly attempted to call for help after collapsing in his cell, but lost consciousness before staff could respond. He was later transferred to the hospital by ambulance due to the inability of prison medical staff to stabilize him.
Attorney Beau Brindley, representing Kelly, emphasized the urgency of the situation in a public statement:
"For those who responded with skepticism about whether Bureau of Prisons officers would really engage in a plot to kill R. Kelly, those prison officials have now removed all doubt. They want R. Kelly dead before the crimes committed against him in his cases are exposed."
Brindley added that only former President Donald Trump could intervene swiftly enough to protect Kelly, reiterating the legal team’s request for a presidential pardon.
Federal Response
Federal prosecutors, however, have dismissed the claims as “fanciful” and “theatrical.” In their response to the motion, they argued that Kelly’s filings were procedurally flawed and lacked merit. They further accused the singer of being a "master manipulator" and attempting to exploit the legal system.
The government emphasized the gravity of Kelly's crimes and convictions, warning that releasing him could set a dangerous precedent.
“If R. Kelly were released from prison despite his convictions, every convicted murderer, rapist, and terrorist will have a newfound shot at freedom,” the prosecution argued.
Background on Convictions
Kelly, 58, was convicted in 2021 and 2022 on multiple federal charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, child pornography, and enticement of minors. He received a 30-year sentence in New York and a 20-year sentence in Chicago, with one year of the latter to be served consecutively.
The singer remains incarcerated at FCI Butner, a medium-security federal facility, where his legal team alleges he continues to face serious threats to his health and safety.
Source: usatoday.com
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