R. Kelly, the renowned rapper, reportedly suffered an overdose in prison last week, leading to his emergency hospitalization. According to court documents, Beau B. Brindley, Kelly’s attorney, accused the Bureau of Prisons staff at the federal center in Butner, North Carolina, of deliberately administering an excessive dose of medication to Kelly. This alleged overdose resulted in Kelly’s transfer to a nearby hospital.
Kelly, who is currently serving a 31-year sentence for child sexual abuse crimes, was allegedly forced to take medication while in solitary confinement on the night of June 12. The following morning, Kelly reportedly experienced faintness, dizziness, and visual disturbances. He allegedly lost consciousness after attempting to stand and falling to the ground.
Kelly was transported by ambulance to Duke University Hospital, according to his attorney. During the journey, Kelly reportedly overheard a prison officer remarking that the incident would “open a whole new can of worms.” Upon arrival at the hospital, Kelly was allegedly informed that he had been given a life-threatening overdose of his medications.
Brindley further stated that doctors found blood clots in both of Kelly’s legs and lungs. However, Kelly was allegedly removed from the hospital before he could receive treatment. Despite doctors’ recommendations for surgery and a two-week hospital stay, Kelly was reportedly removed from the hospital by armed officers and returned to the prison against his will.
Brindley claimed that Kelly was denied the necessary surgery to remove the life-threatening blood clots from his lungs and was sent back to solitary confinement. He emphasized that Kelly’s life is at risk due to the Bureau of Prisons’ refusal to allow him the necessary medical treatment.
In a statement, Brindley expressed concern over the Bureau of Prisons’ actions, suggesting they could lead to Kelly’s death. He appealed to the court for intervention, stating that Kelly’s life was in danger due to the actions of Bureau of Prisons officials. Kelly is reportedly seeking a temporary furlough to home detention.
Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was convicted of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges in 2021 and sentenced to 30 years in prison. The following year, he was convicted on six additional counts, including three child pornography charges, in a separate Chicago trial. He was subsequently sentenced to an additional 20 years, with 19 to run concurrently with his previous sentence.
Last week, Kelly’s legal team requested his release from federal custody and proposed house arrest, alleging that Kelly was the target of a murder plot. An inmate named Mikeal Glenn Stine claimed that three high-ranking inmates had approached him about killing Kelly. Stine reportedly decided against participating in the plot and informed Kelly about it.
Brindley has called for intervention from President Trump, stating that he is the only person who has shown the courage and willingness to stand up to corruption.