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R. Kelly Moved To Federal Prison In North Carolina

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R. Kelly has moved to a federal prison in North Carolina. He was previously serving his 20-year sentence in Chicago, where he was convicted on three counts of production of child pornography and three counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. He is also serving a 30-year sentence on racketeering and sex trafficking charges from New York.

While federal officials typically don’t reveal the reasons for an inmate relocation out of respect for their privacy and safety, Jennifer Bonjean, Kelly’s lawyer, addressed the move in a statement. “Kelly was moved to Butner FCI which is a medium security facility,” Bonjean revealed. “He continues to suffer from health issues caused by medical negligence at the MCC Chicago. We are hopeful that Butner will ensure that his medical needs are met.”

R. Kelly Arriving At Court

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 07: Singer R. Kelly arrives at the Leighton Courthouse for his status hearing in relation to the sex abuse allegations made against him on May 07, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

The relocation comes after attorneys for the disgraced singer filed to appeal his federal racketeering conviction, last week. They argued that the charge was for “alleged misdeeds going back decades without pesky statutes of limitations obstacles.” The legal team also argued that members of the jury watched the docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly. “Numerous seated jurors were either familiar with accusations that Defendant had a history of sexually abusing underage girls, had previously faced legal problems, and/or had seen the highly unflattering docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly, in which several government witnesses had appeared,” they said in the filing. “Defense counsel did not move to disqualify jurors who admitted they had prejudged Defendant’s guilt or had gathered knowledge about the case from other sources.”

As of now, Kelly will serve the remainder of his sentence at Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina. The facility has been home to many infamous criminals including Bernie Madoff, the “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, John Hinckley Jr., and Joe Exotic. He will be eligible for release from prison when he is 80 years old.

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6ix9ine Provoked His Kidnapping, Gang Member Argues

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Anthony “Harv” Ellison, a convicted member of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, wants a reduction in his 24-year prison sentence. He is now arguing that 6ix9ine’s criminal behavior provoked the kidnapping that landed him in prison. Ellison’s charges included RICO Conspiracy, Kidnapping in Aid of Racketeering, and Using a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence.

“He cooperated and, for the most part, evaded being punished for his unlawful acts by immediately cooperating and testifying at the trial in this case,” Ellison explained, as noted by AllHipHop. “However, it was Mr. Hernandez’s misconduct and involvement in the alleged criminal enterprise that subjected him to and provoked the alleged kidnapping.” Ellison’s request is still pending a response.

6ix9ine Performing At MiamiBash 2021

MIAMI, FLORIDA. DECEMBER 17: Tekashi 6ix9ine performs during the MiamiBash 2021 at FTX Arena on December 17, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images,)

The new attempt at a sentence reduction comes despite several recent legal setbacks in his case. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied his appeal in September 2022. He also requested a compassionate release due to the risk of contracting coronavirus but that was denied in July 2021.

The court originally hit Ellison with 24 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release in October 2020. “Anthony Ellison was a high-ranking member of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, a violent gang that wreaked havoc across New York City, and he was convicted of racketeering, kidnapping, and a violent assault with a dangerous weapon. Now, thanks to the outstanding work of our partners at the NYPD, HSI, and ATF, he will spend the next 24 years in federal prison,” Audrey Strauss, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said at the time of his sentencing.

6ix9ine previously pled guilty to nine criminal charges in his own federal racketeering case in 2019. With his deal, the rapper testified that Ellison and co-defendant Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack set up the 2018 kidnapping. 6ix9ine served time in home confinement. As of 2023, 6ix9ine is back to focusing on his music career and just filmed a new music video in the Dominican Republic.

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Ralo Reunites With His Daughter After 5 Years

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Ralo has finally reunited with his daughter after spending 5 years apart due to his prison sentence. The 1017 artist had been hit with an 8-year sentence, last year, for trafficking over $2 million in marijuana back in 2018. He received time served in the sentencing. Ralo shared a picture of his reunion with his daughter on Instagram, Sunday.

“I waited 5 long years just to be able to touch my daughter. As soon as I felt her little arms wrap around me in that visitation room it felt like my soul was released from my body,” he captioned a photo of their meet-up. “That shit felt so good that I’ll never forget that feeling. I never called myself a rapper due to the lame shit that goes on in the industry, but I can now honesty say I’m thankful for the rap game, because it helped me take care of my daughter and more my entire bid.

Ralo At The Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash In 2017

ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 17 Rapper Ralo attends the Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash at Philips Arena on June 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

He continued: “This my last year being in prison, so I’m asking for yawl to go get, support, post and download my last album I’m dropping from jail #97Months thats on all sites right now. I’m thankful and this will help me continue to take care of my amazing daughter and others for these last 7 months.” Drake, Meek Mill, Killer Mike, and many more have all called for clemency in Ralo’s case over the years.

Despite being behind bars, Ralo was able to release a new project, earlier this month. 97 Months features collaborations with Jadakiss, Rotimi, Rowdy Rebel, and others. “If I ever did anything to hurt you, I ask that you forgive me. I don’t wanna walk in that courtroom with no bad vibes. I need prayers for me and not AGAINST me. It’s some people that love and need me free. Go to FAMERICANEWS.COM to help,” Ralo wrote in a recent post. “On another note the feds finally allowed my music to be sold in they prison system, so tell anybody you know in the feds to go download all my music off the Corrilinks system. Assalamualaikum and #HappyNewYear #FreeRalo.”

Ralo With His Daughter

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Frenchie Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison For Botched Burglary

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Strong Island MC Frenchie was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Thursday (April 6) after jury conviction on charges stemming from a botched burglary. Moreover, the specific charges include two violent felonies: three counts of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree burglary. Not only that, but the 37-year-old, real name Gregg Hogan, will also serve five years of post-supervision after jail time according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierny. Furthermore, many might recognize his name for introducing Nicki Minaj to her former manager Debra Antney. As such, he has a unique connection to one of rap’s biggest stars.

However, Frenchie went through hard times, having survived multiple gunshot wounds including one to his neck. Unfortunately, it seems like that hard life didn’t elude him. According to Patch, Frenchie engaged in robbery with three other men. These are Miguel Ruiz, Hakim Muhammad, and Donte Thomas. From what reports indicate, they kicked in a house door to rob it. What’s more is that they carried guns, thinking it would be a money and weed stash property. Turns out there was a whole family inside.

Frenchie Facing Time For Failed Robbery

Moreover, the recording artist encountered a mother, father, and autistic teenage son, whom were all asleep at the time of the invasion. D.A. Tierny claimed that Frenchie and his cohorts told the victims to lie face down as they searched the home. When the teenage son did not respond, one of the men allegedly struck him with his pistol. As a result, he bore facial cuts and bruises when police arrived at the scene. “The pistol-whipping of an innocent autistic young man in a failed home invasion is among the most outrageous crimes we have prosecuted,” the D.A. stated. “Hopefully, this defendant’s conviction and significant prison sentence provides the victims with some sense of relief and security.”

Meanwhile, Frenchie’s defense team maintained that he did not participate in the robbery or serve as the getaway driver, as the prosecution claims. “He was sitting in the car,” his attorney Anthony Scheller expressed after the sentencing. “I argued to [Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei] that he didn’t tie anyone up, he didn’t have a gun, [and] he didn’t pistol whip anybody.” Also, Scheller hinted that the 37-year-old will likely seek appeal. For more updates on this story and Frenchie, check back in with HNHH.

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Tee Grizzley’s Twin Gets Four Years In Prison

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Baby Grizzley, twin brother of Tee Grizzley, just got sentenced to four years and nine months in federal jail on convicted charges of illegal gun possession. Moreover, the case stems from a December 8, 2020 nighttime traffic stop for driving without his headlights on, according to the Justice Department. Not only that, but Royal Oaky police pulled the rapper over, real name Marcellus Wallace, along codefendant Nolan Dasgupta-Francis and another individual. Furthermore, police allegedly approached the vehicle from the driver’s side and saw two red solo cups in two cup holders near the driver’s seat.

Then, Wallace and Dasgupta-Francis said they were the ones drinking, but not driving. Allegedly, the latter pulled out a partially drunk bottle of Johnnie Walker Black. After police asked all three to exit the vehicle due to “open intoxicants,” they searched the car. During the inspection, they found “two fully loaded semiautomatic pistols on the floorboard where Wallace had been seated,” and found two more near where Dasgupta-Francis sat. According to court records, Grizzley tried to bribe the driver to take the blame while the two sat in the back of a police car following the arrest.

Tee Grizzley’s Twin Gets Nearly Five Years Behind Bars

What’s more is that he had just received $300,000 cash in advance for signing a record deal, and reportedly offered the driver $20,000 to take the hit. However, said efforts proved unsuccessful. Dasgupta-Francis faced a 45-month federal prison sentence, and both he and Grizzley also face parole violation charges. Officials arrested Wallace less than two months after he finished serving time for robbery in a state prison.

“This case demonstrates ATF’s core mission to stop violent criminals from illegally possessing firearms,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai stated. “We will continue to work side by side with our local law enforcement and U.S. Attorney partners to make our communities safer.” Shortly after Baby Grizzley’s arrest, his brother Tee Grizzley took to Instagram to express his heartbreak and support. “Free Bro this S**t just crushed me but ima hold this s**t down like I been doing my boy I got us @babyygrizzleytd,” he wrote. Check out that post below and come back to HNHH for the latest on Baby Grizzley’s case and Tee Grizzley.

Baby Grizzley Sentenced For Illegal Gun Possession

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Josh Duggar’s Prison Sentence For Child Porn Extended

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Josh Duggar will be spending an extra two months in prison for his 12-year sentence for child pornography. The former 19 Kids And Counting star will be released in October 2032, according to the Bureau of Prisons. Duggar was previously sentenced to 151 months in May 2022. Duggar is currently serving that sentence at FCI Seagoville in Texas. He was placed in solitary confinement, last month, after being found with a contraband cell phone.

At the time of Duggar’s arrest, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Arkansas said in a press release, “According to court documents, Joshua James Duggar, 33, allegedly used the internet to download child sexual abuse material. Duggar allegedly possessed this material, some of which depicts the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, in May 2019.”

Josh Duggar’s Booking Photo

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – APRIL 29: In this handout photo provided by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, former television personality on “19 Kids And Counting” Josh Duggar poses for a booking photo after his arrest April 29, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Duggar was reportedly arrested by federal agents and is being detained on a federal hold. (Photo by Washington County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images)

As part of his sentencing, Duggar is not allowed to have any unsupervised contact with minors. Court documents obtained by Us in June 2022 state, “If there is a concern about the potential for inadvertent contact with a minor at a particular place, function, or event, then the Defendant shall get approval from the U.S. Probation Office before attending any such place, function or event.” Additionally, once Duggar is released, he cannot “possess, use, or have access to a computer or any other electronic device that has Internet or photograph storage capabilities without prior advance notice and approval of the U.S. Probation Office.”

Duggar’s wife, Anna, recently gave birth to the couple’s seventh baby. Altogether they share Mackynzie, 13, Michael, 11, Marcus, 9, Meredith, 7, Mason, 5, and Maryella, 3, and their youngest, Madyson. Duggar and his lawyers are currently seeking to reverse his conviction. They argued his case during a federal appeals court hearing on the matter in February. They claim investigators violated his rights by taking the phone he was using to call his lawyer. This is when they found the child pornography.

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Tay-K Appears In Good Spirits On Video Call From Prison

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Tay-K appears to be in good spirits as he awaits trial for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Mark Anthony Saldivar. Tay-K was previously sentenced to 55 years in prison for his involvement in the 2016 home invasion and robbery that resulted in the death of 21-year-old Ethan Walker. He has been convicted of murder and aggravated robbery. Tay-K is best known for his 2017 hit song “The Race“. The single reached number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It’s since been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

“I know bro is rethinking that decision to go on da run every hour of every day,” one fan commented on a post of the new video call that was shared by NoJumper. Another argued: “He’s definitely been in there too long? How does one expect rehabilitation if u just locking up like rabbid dogs? Wasn’t he 16/17? If he getting his GED, doing good why he still in there? Can he not change his whole life around?”

Tay-K’s Video Call From Prison

Tay-K previously pleaded for a “second chance at adulthood” during a series of tweets posted back in January. “I really just need 1 chance @ adulthood,” he wrote. “I bet if I was a lil white kid they wouldn’t have gave me no 55 years for a crime I was alleged to play the most insignificant role in when I was 16….they woulda rightfully argued that my mind wasn’t fully developed and gave me rehabilitation and a 2nd (1st) chance at adulthood.”

He also referenced the 16-year-old white female co-defendant who was given 10 years probation and has since been released from prison. He added: “One of my codefendants was a white girl who was 16 jus like me…they didn’t certify her as an adult but they certified me n pimp as adults, pimp got 30, I got 55, she ended up getting 10 years of probation without no deal…that girl @ home rn.”

At the time of his initial arrest, Tay-K had just turned 17 years old. He spent a total of three months on the run beforehand. On the day that he was brought in, he released “The Race.”

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R. Kelly Sentenced To One More Additional Year Of Prison Time In Chicago Case

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R. Kelly was sentenced to 20 years in prison in his Chicago case, but most of that time will be served concurrently with his 30-year sentence from his New York conviction. Moreover, the disgraced artist will serve 19 of those 20 years at the same time he’ll serve his other sentence, with one year of this new sentence served after his 30 years in a Chicago federal prison. Furthermore, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber added just one more year to Kelly’s overall sentence, totaling at 31 years. Also, he was convicted on charges of child pornography and enticement of minors in his Chicago case. On the other hand, his New York sentence came from convictions of racketeering and sex trafficking charges. All these charges, convictions, and sentences are on a federal level.

Furthermore, the sentence is less than what prosecutors and victims sought in the case. They believed Kelly’s crimes constituted jail time for the rest of his life, and wanted the Chicago sentence to come into effect after he served his New York time. “The only way to ensure Kelly does not reoffend is to impose a sentence that will keep him in prison for the rest of his life,” they expressed to Judge Leinenweber in court documents requesting an additional 25 years.

R. Kelly’s 20-Year Sentence Is A Year-Long One In Practice

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 06: Singer R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on June 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The singer appeared in front of a judge to face new charges of criminal sexual abuse. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

However, defense attorneys maintained that his existing 30-year sentence already constituted a practically lifetime sentence. For example, they pointed out many of the R&B singer’s past traumas, defending that he was a hurt person who hurt people. Also, they brought up the star’s diabetes condition and made seemingly successful arguments for leniency in his sentencing. In a riskier move, Kelly’s legal team argued that the government sought to convict him on previously acquitted charges, and had mentioned accusations of racial bias compared to other celebrities.

Overall, the judge ruled that the singer’s actions did not merit a sex trafficking sentencing enhancement. Leinenweber disagreed with prosecutors on the claim that Kelly used fear to seduce young girls, even after testimonies. Furthermore, he stated that deterrence is not a valid factor, since Kelly already lost his wealth and status as a result of his deplorable crimes. Regardless of your take on the sentence, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on R. Kelly.

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R. Kelly’s Lawyers Claim He’s Unfairly Targeted, Cite Elvis Presley Dating 14-Year-Old Wife

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R. Kelly’s legal team asked a federal judge for a short sentence in his Chicago case and claimed they unfairly targeted him on Friday (February 10). Moreover, the twice-convicted star already could serve decades behind bars. As such, his team wants to reduce the sentence of his Chicago conviction to 11 years. Also, Jennifer Bonjean asked U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber if Kelly can serve that sentence during his 30-year sentence. Furthermore, the latter stems from a 2021 federal racketeering case in New York.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly appears during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. (Photo by Antonio Perez – Pool via Getty Images)

According to his legal team, the R&B artist’s Chicago case could’ve rolled into the New York one. Instead, Bonjean alleges her client unjustly faced a “piece-meal prosecution by the federal government.” Said request appeared two weeks before the singer’s sentencing date on February 23 on charges on child pornography and criminal sexual activity with a minor in Chicago. As officials determine whether to add to his 30-year sentence, Kelly, 56, might sit behind bars until at least his late 70s. Moreover, Kelly’s trial in Chicago began right after his New York sentence for exploitation, bribery, racketeering, and sex trafficking.

Another argument Kelly’s legal team presented is the precedent set by other high-profile music-related cases. For example, Elvis Presley started dating his wife Priscilla when she was just 14 years old. In addition, Bonjean cited David Bowie, Jerry Lee Lewis, and several other musicians who received similar accusations with no prosecution. In a 34-page sentencing memo, the lawyer claimed that prosecutors and society took particular aim at Kelly. Moreover, she referenced “a unique, unprecedented contempt for Kelly that is wanting as to his similarly situated white counterparts.”

Meanwhile, Bonjean also referred to the singer’s lifelong struggles. “[Kelly] was a damaged man in his late 20s with an extraordinarily traumatic childhood that he failed to confront,” she stated. Also, she mentioned his abuse at the hands of a family member and friend, suffering gunshot wounds, and helplessly watching a childhood girlfriend drown. Regardless, let us know what you think of these developments in the comments down below. Also, as always, stay logged into HNHH for the latest updates on the R. Kelly story.

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