A former employee of R. Kelly pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of conspiracy to receive child pornography.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Young Kim released Milton “June” Brown on an unsecured bond at least until his next hearing Tuesday as federal prosecutors continue to investigate Brown’s assets.
Brown is charged with one count of conspiracy to receive child pornography. If convicted, prosecutors said, he could face up to 20 years in prison. His attorney, Mary Judge, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Last week, prosecutors in both the Northern District of Illinois and Eastern District of New York unsealed two bombshell indictments charging Kelly with child pornography, obstruction of justice and racketeering.
Brown, who worked for the singer from 1997 to 2018, is named as a co-defendant in the Illinois case. Wearing a gray pinstripe suit, Brown stood quietly with his hands behind his back throughout the hearing except to say “Yes, sir” when Kim asked him if he understood the charges against him and the possible penalties.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber ordered Kelly to remain in federal custody as his Illinois case proceeds. His next court appearance in that case is set for Sept. 4.
Bail for Kelly’s former manager Derrel McDavid, the other co-defendant in the Illinois case, was set at $500,000 last week. He was allowed to walk free after posting bond.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois said Kelly will be transferred to the Eastern District of New York to appear in the Brooklyn federal courthouse on Aug. 2.
