R-Kelly Gets A Warrant For His Arrest

CHICAGO (STNG) ― R & B superstar R. Kelly missed a court date in his child pornography case Wednesday after his tour bus was stopped by Utah state police.

Judge Vincent Gaughan, presiding over the case, entered a warrant for Kelly's arrest. But he held off on putting it into effect until Thursday, when Gaughan ordered Kelly to appear before him at 9 a.m.

Cook County prosecutors noted Gaughan had already shown considerable leeway in letting Kelly travel outside Illinois. The singer is required to get permission for each trip.

"This is just an abuse of the process. It's disrespectful of your honor," said Assistant State's Attorney Shauna Bolicker.

Kelly, 40, is charged with child pornography for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a girl estimated to be 13 or 14. He has pleaded not guilty in the case, which has been pending since 2002.

One of R. Kelly's defense lawyers, Ed Genson, said Kelly had performed a concert in Sacramento and was "detained because of some snow."

Then, state police pulled over Kelly's tour bus in Green River, Utah, to check the bus' log, Genson said. The log details how long a particular driver has been driving a bus. The police ordered Kelly's bus to stop for eight hours because the log had not been properly filled out, Genson said.

The bus went to the nearest motel. "We had a lawyer down there. We cut the eight hours down to three or four," Genson said.

Genson assured Gaughan that Kelly had made every effort to make it to court on time. "Mr. Kelly is presently about two hours away from the courtroom," Genson said.

A representative from Cook County pretrial services said Kelly has been complying with the rules governing his travel.

Gaughan told Bolicker, "I don't take this lightly, either," and entered the warrant on Kelly. However, he continued the warrant until Thursday's court appearance.

Gaughan also said he would set a trial date Thursday for the case.