R. Kelly’s Former Manager Donnell Russell Reportedly In Plea Deal Negotiations

November 16, 2020 by Demi Lobo in Music with 0 Comments

R. Kelly’s Former Manager Donnell Russell Reportedly In Plea Deal Negotiations

R. Kelly’s former manager Donnell Russell is facing criminal charges and is reportedly in the middle of plea negotiations.

Earlier this year, Donnell Russell was indicted on one count of interstate stalking after he was accused of allegedly contacting an anonymous victim in R. Kelly‘s case. It is reported that Donnell Russell reached out to the victim “with the intent to harass and intimidate” her and her family.

Donnell Russell pleaded not guilty to the charge, but he was also charged with a criminal complaint recently in New York. In that case, he is accused of threatening physical harm and conspiracy to threaten physical harm after he allegedly placed a phone call to a theater in Manhattan that was doing a screening of “Surviving R. Kelly,” on December 4, 2018.

Donnell Russell allegedly told the theater that there was an armed person inside, who had plans to shoot. Russell pleaded not guilty to those charges as well.

According to new reports, he is currently in plea negotiations, and a trial may not be necessary.

One of R. Kelly’s lawyers, Steve Greenberg adds that Donnell Russell’s charges are not in connection with R. Kelly’s current case. R. Kelly’s lawyers reportedly do not care about Donnell’ current plea negotiations, Steve Greenberg says,

“He’s charged with crimes that Kelly was not in any way involved in. If he chooses to plead guilty for his own actions, that’s between the government and his own lawyers. Anytime someone is charged in a criminal case there’s always the risk that they’re going to make something up to get themselves out of trouble. I can’t control that.”

There is no word on if Russell will testify against R. Kelly.

Earlier this year, a federal prosecutor requested an anonymous jury, citing R. Kelly’s alleged involvement in influencing witnesses and jurors in 2008, in which case he was acquitted.

According to reports, the judge’s ruling also cited “evidence of obstructive conduct by others, including the defendant’s associates.”

In August, R. Kelly made headlines amid reports that three of his associates had been arrested for allegedly bribing or threatening victims in his case. Criminal complaints had been filed against Richard Arline Jr., 31, Donnell Russell, 45, and Michael Williams, 37, as federal prosecutors say they have charged the men in separate schemes to harass, intimidate and bribe the alleged victims of R&B singer R. Kelly.

Also in June, an ex-girlfriend of R. Kelly, Azriel Clary, posted a photo on social media alleging that her vehicle was set on fire, claiming that the incident was premeditated and insinuating it was an alleged attempt to intimidate her.

R. Kelly has been in prison for more than a year after being charged in his widely publicized case on federal charges alleging sex crimes and obstruction of justice. As of July 2019, the Bump ‘N Grind singer faces a total of 18 federal counts, including child pornography, kidnapping, and forced labor.

What are your thoughts on Donnell Russell’s possible plea deal? Let us know in the comments!