R.Kelly’s appeal for a reduced sentence has been denied, reinforcing the 30-year prison term handed down after his conviction on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

This week, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld the ruling, rejecting claims that prosecutors failed to prove he orchestrated a criminal enterprise that exploited women and underage girls. The court found the evidence compelling, dismissing Kelly’s argument that the case lacked proof of organized misconduct under federal racketeering laws.

This decision marks a pivotal moment in Kelly’s long legal battle. Once a dominant figure in R&B with hits like I Believe I Can Fly and Ignition, his career collapsed in 2019 following his arrest. Years of allegations of sexual abuse, many involving minors, culminated in federal charges and his subsequent conviction. The recent ruling affirms that the prosecution’s case was solid, ensuring he remains behind bars for the foreseeable future.