US singer R Kelly was today charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse, some involving underage girls, according to court documents.
Kelly, whose real name is Robert Kelly, has faced years of allegations of sexual misconduct against women and teenage girls.
He has previously denied all claims through his lawyers.
Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx told a news conference on Friday that Kelly was expected to appear in court on Saturday for a bond hearing on 10 counts.
Of four female victims in the case, at least three whom he allegedly abused were under the age of 17 at the time, she said.
The age of the fourth was not provided.
Kelly faces three to seven years in prison on each count, she added.
Court documents charging R Kelly involve multiple victims dating back to at least 1998.
The charges filed on Friday list four victims, including at least three between the ages of 13 and 17.
The victims are listed only by initials in the documents.
Kelly's lawyer earlier told the Chicago Sun-Times that he had not been notified that his client had been charged.
Michael Avenatti, a well known lawyer who said he recently provided video evidence of Kelly having sex with an underage girl, has applauded prosecutors for filing charges.
