The legal team of R. Kelly has alleged that the singer suffered a drug overdose last week after being given an excessive dose of medication by prison staff.
In a court filing dated June 17 and obtained by USA TODAY, the attorneys claim Kelly received a dangerously high dose of medication on June 12 while in solitary confinement at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina.
The dosage allegedly far exceeded his usual prescriptions for anxiety and sleep, leading to his hospitalization the next day, June 13.
According to the document, Kelly was later removed from Duke University Hospital in Durham against medical advice.
The Bureau of Prisons declined to comment, citing “pending litigation.”
R. Kelly, born Robert Kelly, is currently serving a 30-year sentence following his 2022 conviction for racketeering and sex trafficking.
His lawyers say the incident occurred just days after an emergency furlough motion was filed on June 10. They claim that soon after filing the motion, which alleged a plot by three prison officials to have Kelly killed by another inmate, the singer was placed in solitary confinement against his will.
In the early hours of June 13, Kelly reportedly woke up feeling lightheaded and began experiencing vision problems.
The filing states, “He tried to stand but collapsed. He crawled to the cell door and lost consciousness.”
Unable to treat him on site, prison medical staff called for an ambulance, and Kelly was taken to Duke University Hospital where he remained for two days.
His legal team says they were unable to speak with him until June 16, after a scheduled phone call was abruptly canceled with no explanation.
