A Chicago man who represented himself as R. Kelly’s manager and consultant pleaded guilty Tuesday to stalking one of the singer’s victims, federal authorities in New York City said.
Donnell Russell pleaded guilty to one count of interstate stalking, according to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn.
Kelly, best known for classics such as “I Believe I Can Fly,” is serving a 30-year prison sentence after being convicted on all counts in a sex-trafficking trial last year.
Prosecutors said Russell began intimidating one of the victims in that criminal proceeding, who had also sued Kelly, in 2018.
Russell threatened to reveal sexually graphic images of the woman if she didn’t withdraw the suit, and he eventually did, according to the US attorney’s office, he revealed the pictures on a Facebook page and in broadcast live video interviews.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, the stalking offense carries a potential sentence of 5 years in prison.
According to the statement from the US Attorney’s Office, Russell is the singer’s self-described manager, adviser, and friend. Kelly’s lawyers denies that Russell ever played any such role.
