On November 17, United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly sentenced Michael Williams to 96 months in federal prison. Williams, an associate of R&B singer R. Kelly, was convicted of attempting to intimidate a witness in Kelly’s own federal trial.

Prosecutors claimed Michael Williams, 38, tried to prevent the woman from cooperating with the government’s investigation in the Kelly case. Williams allegedly set fire to a vehicle at the home of the witness who also happened to be an alleged victim of R. Kelly.

“In a violent act designed to instill fear and stop a witness from testifying at trial, Williams set fire to the victim’s vehicle in the middle of the night while it was parked outside of a residence occupied by four adults and two children,” stated Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “Intimidating witnesses and threatening the safety of crime victims undermine the very fabric of our judicial system and will never be tolerated.”

U.S. Attorney Peace continued, “This Office will bring all of its resources to bear against those who commit dangerous acts of violence to silence victims and interfere with the administration of justice.”  

Back in June 2020, Michael Williams poured gasoline around an SUV parked outside of a Florida residence where the victim-witness in the Kelly case was living at the time.

According to the government, Williams also made internet searches about the detonation properties of fertilizer and diesel fuel, witness intimidation and witness tampering, and countries that do not have extradition agreements with the United States. 

R. Kelly (born Robert Kelly) was convicted of racketeering predicated on criminal conduct including sexual exploitation of children, forced labor, and Mann Act violations in September. The 54-year-old Chicago native also faces federal child pornography and obstruction charges in Illinois.

An associate of R. Kelly received a sentence of 8 years in federal prison for attempting to intimidate one of Kelly’s victims by setting fire to her car so she wouldn’t testify against him.  

“Rolling Stone” reports Michael Williams, 38, was sentenced on Wednesday (Nov. 17) after pleading guilty to arson back in April. Williams set fire to the car of one of the women due to testify against R. Kelly in his racketeering trial.  

Despite the attempt to silence her, the victim, referred to in court papers by the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” went on to give evidence against the disgraced singer in August. During her testimony, she described in detail the sexual abuse R. Kelly perpetrated against her when she was 17 years old. Her evidence was key in securing a conviction against R. Kelly.  

The investigation found that Williams traveled 200 miles to Jane Doe’s home and set fire to her father’s car before fleeing the scene. A search warrant determined Williams had recently made Google searches linking him to the case. He searched for the victim’s address, information on detonating fertilizer bombs, and news about R. Kelly, “case law for tampering with a witness.” 

“In a violent act designed to instill fear and stop a witness from testifying at trial, Williams set fire to the victim’s vehicle in the middle of the night while it was parked outside of a residence occupied by four adults and two children,” United States Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. “Intimidating witnesses and threatening the safety of crime victims undermine the very fabric of our judicial system and will never be tolerated. This Office will bring all of its resources to bear against those who commit dangerous acts of violence to silence victims and interfere with the administration of justice.”  

Jane Doe’s Statement

Additionally, Assistant US Attorney Maria Cruz Melendez read a statement from Jane Doe in the courtroom: 

“It is very unfortunate to see a man lose his freedom, however, the crime that was committed was not only vicious but disturbing. My mental state deteriorated tremendously due to fear, invasion of privacy, and trauma among many other things. Because of your actions, I live in fear and have had to relocate my entire life. In that home were not only adults but animals and children under the age of 10. My family is traumatized and has been in distress due to this unlawful act. I hope this life-changing event gives you time to reflect on your actions.” 

Former Girlfriend Of R. Kelly Shared Pictures Of Arson Attack

It is widely speculated that “Jane Doe” here is R. Kelly’s ex Azriel Clary. The Chicago native’s former girlfriend revealed she was targeted in an arson attack back in June 2020. She claimed someone set fire to her car and poured gasoline around the outside of her home.