R Kelly arrested on child pornography and other federal sex charges

R. Kelly was arrested in Chicago on Thursday on new federal sex charges, including child pornography and obstruction of justice, as NBC News 4 New York reports:

Singer R. Kelly was arrested on federal sex charges Thursday night nearly five months after he was released on bail for additional sexual abuse charges brought by Illinois prosecutors, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

The 52-year-old was walking his dog in Chicago when he was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations agents and NYPD Public Safety Task Force, officials told News 4.

U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Joseph Fitzpatrick said the R&B singer was taken into custody about 7 p.m. local time and was being held by federal authorities. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, Kelly is being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, Chicago.

There are separate federal indictments filed in both Chicago and Brooklyn, according to a senior law enforcement official, and a court appearance in Chicago could come later Friday. It is expected he will ultimatley be brought to New York to face additional charges.

A 13-count indictment was handed down earlier Thursday in federal court for the Northern District of Illinois and includes charges of child pornography, enticement of a minor and obstruction of justice, U.S. attorney spokesman Joseph Fitzpatrick told The Associated Press.

Federal prosecutors for the Eastern District of New York are expected to unveil Friday additional charges in the case.

Spokespeople from the NYPD and Homeland Security Investigations declined to comment on the arrest. Calls to the U.S. attorney in Brooklyn were not immediately returned.

This follows the 11 counts of felony sexual assault that Kelly was charged with in May. In 2008, Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges that stemmed from a videotape that showed Kelly having sex with a minor.