R. Kelly: R&B artist 'arrested in Chicago on federal sex trafficking charges'

WNBC-TV cited law enforcement sources. Mr Kelly was reportedly arrested by detectives from the New York Police Department and Homeland Security agents. The 52-year-old R&B singer is expected to be taken to New York with more details expected Friday.

Last month, the former basketball player, pleaded not guilty to 11 sex related charges.

As reported by Fox News, this includes four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault.

In 2002, he was indicted on 13 counts of child pornography, but was acquitted of all charges six years later.

A documentary series Surviving R. Kelly aired in January accusing him of multiple cases of sexual abuses, which he denied.

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After the release of the docuseries, Lady Gaga released a statement saying she regretted their 2013 duet “Do What U Want” and she joined Chance the Rapper, Celine Dion and Ciara in removing their music with him from streaming services.

A two-fold increased in streaming popularity was reported after the first episodes of the six part series aired over three days by Lifetime.

After the series had ended, several major radio stations stopped airing his music.

The label RCA Records also dropped him.

In a CBS This Morning interview with Gayle King, he broke down in tears as he denied all allegations.

Mr Kelly had launched a Facebook page to discredit his accusers but it was removed by the social media giant.

Last March, reporter Ben Zand presented a BBC series exploring allegations Mr Kelly held the daughters of three sets of parents in an “abusive cult”, Mr Kelly denied the allegations.

Last April, a former partner accused of him of “intentionally” infecting her with an STi which a representative said he “categorically denies all claims and allegations”.