R. Kelly’s Projected Prison Release Date Confirmed — Latest Update (2026)

Disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly is expected to remain behind bars until late 2045, solidifying earlier projections about the former chart-topping artist’s lengthy federal sentence.

According to HOT 97 News reporting that has resurfaced in national media coverage, federal prison records now list December 21, 2045 as R. Kelly’s projected release date — nearly two more decades from now. At that point, Kelly would be around 78 years old. This timeline stems from the combined 30-plus-year sentence he received for multiple federal convictions.

Kelly, 59, has been incarcerated at a medium-security federal facility in Butner, North Carolina since April 2023 after his New York and Chicago convictions.

Why This Date Is Now Back in the Headlines

Although the 2045 timeline has been in legal filings and prison projections for some time, renewed coverage in January 2026 has drawn attention to the fact that efforts to shorten or overturn his sentence have repeatedly failed.

In August 2025, R. Kelly launched one of his most aggressive legal strategies yet — attempting to disqualify the U.S. Attorney’s Office from his case entirely — but that motion was swiftly rejected by U.S. District Judge Martha Pacold, who described the request as “extreme” and unsupported by the law. His bids for a new trial or immediate release to home confinement have also been denied in federal court.

 

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Legal Background & Convictions

R. Kelly’s 30-year federal sentence is tied to convictions in multiple jurisdictions:

• In New York (2021), he was found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking linked to a criminal enterprise that exploited women and girls.

• In Chicago (2022), he was convicted on child pornography and enticement charges.
  Most of his sentences are running concurrently, though the combined total amounts to over three decades in prison.

Federal appeals and legal challenges — including arguments to the Supreme Court and motions arguing judicial overreach — have not succeeded in shortening the term.

Activities Behind Bars

Despite his incarceration, Kelly has remained publicly active in some ways:

• Audio snippets purportedly recorded from prison — including material over other artists’ instrumentals — have circulated online and sparked controversy.

• Some music figures on social media have shared or commented on clips, reigniting debates about his legacy and creative output.

What This Means Going Forward

At this point, there is no indication of a viable legal path for Kelly to gain early release. With multiple motions denied and appeals exhausted or rejected, the December 21, 2045 release date remains the earliest realistic exit from prison under current law and sentence structure.