R. Kelly Ordered Held Without Bail During New York Arraignment

R. Kelly Booking Photo (Credit: Chicago PD)

A federal judge denied R. Kelly’s request for bail Friday morning at an arraignment hearing in Brooklyn, New York.

During his court appearance, the R&B singer pleaded not guilty to racketeering, kidnapping and sexual abuse charges. The Grammy winner is accused of running a “racketeering enterprise” that recruited women and girls for sex.

The five-count indictment filed against Kelly in Brooklyn on July 10, alleges the singer enlisted members of his entourage, including “managers, bodyguards, drivers, personal assistants and runners,” in order to “recruit women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity.”

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According to The Associated Press, Kelly appeared “sullen” Friday as prosecutors told Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione that the singer posed a flight risk and is a “danger” to public safety. The courtroom was filled with Kelly’s supporters, including his two girlfriends who declined comment.

NBC New York posted video of Kelly arriving at New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport.

He was wearing a tan jail-issued shirt, with matching pants and orange shoes. He had his hands cuffed in front of him as he was escorted into a waiting pickup truck. The truck was followed by several law enforcement vehicles. The TV station said its helicopter followed the caravan, with sirens blaring, as it traveled to Manhattan’s Metropolitan Correctional Center, which is also currently housing financier Jeffrey Epstein, who’s accused in a federal sex trafficking case.

[Watch the video below]

Kelly was arrested last month in a separate federal case in Chicago. The 13-count indictment handed down in the Northern District of Illinois includes child pornography, enticement of a minor and obstruction of justice charges.

The 52-year-old entertainer has maintained his innocence.