R. Kelly's victims told him to his face in court that his die-hard fans continue to abuse and harass them

• R. Kelly victims spoke to him on Wednesday ahead of his sentencing in federal court.
• Several shared the harassment and abuse they continue to face from Kelly's supporters.

BROOKLYN, New York — Seven of R. Kelly's victims faced him at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, describing how he ruined their lives through sexual abuse — and their long journey for justice in the courts.

Several of them described the continuing attacks they've received on social media from Kelly's fans, who continue supporting him and discount their testimony. Kelly supporters have gathered outside the courthouse and in the overflow courtrooms throughout the disgraced artist's trial. They also are vocal on social media, where they wage attacks against survivors.

A woman who testified under the pseudonym Addie talked about the years that she spent living in silence, and what it has been like since she first spoke out about the abuse. Addie said she was 17 when Kelly abused her, and she didn't speak out because it was the norm to stay silent about sexual abuse.

"1994 was a different time; there was no real awareness, no internet access ... I am not my mom's generation," she said of going public with her story.

During her testimony, she said her mother feared that she would face retaliation from his fans, and she's experienced the crushing impact of social media bullying from Kelly's die-hard supporters.

"I ask you that you please stop," Addie said in court, addressing Kelly.

A federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, in September of racketeering and sex trafficking charges stemming from a decades-long practice of recruiting and grooming girls and young women for illegal sex.

US District Judge Ann Donnelly, who presided over his trial, is set to issue his sentence later on Wednesday. Donnelly said Wednesday morning that sentencing guidelines indicate he should receive life in prison.

'So many people love you. They hate us.'

After a statement from Faith — an accuser of Kelly's who spoke using only her first name — her father, Charles, spoke to Kelly. He urged Kelly to take responsibility and seek remorse. And he said that the relentless harassment from his fans should stop.

Charles also asked that Kelly look at him while he addressed him, but the artist did not.

"So many people love you. They hate us," Charles said. "They say awful things about my daughter because they love you and hate us."

On Saturday, days before the sentencing, Homeland Security agents arrested a well-known R. Kelly fan in Chicago who they say made public threats of violence against prosecutors in the case.

Prosecutors said Christopher Gunn posted a video to social media in October showing fans a photo of the US Attorney's office in Brooklyn, which shares a building with the federal court.

"That is the United States federal prosecution office," Gunn said of Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn, New York, according to a Homeland Security special agent. "We're going to storm they office ... If you ain't got the stomach for the shit we bout to do, I'm asking that you just bail out."

Agents also allege that other supporters had transferred Gunn money through CashApp to buy ammunition.

"30 rounds on the haters," one transfer was labeled, according to prosecutors.

Kelly didn't look at his victims as they spoke, though he occasionally nodded when they mentioned his acclaimed music career. He typically stared at his hands on the table in front of him, bobbed his head, or chatted with his attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, as the victims gave their statements. Kelly didn't cover his nose with his mask.

At one point, one accuser, who was identified in court as Jane Doe #2, paused for Kelly to finish his chat with Bonjean as she gave her statement.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to interrupt this conversation," the accuser said, her voice dripping with contempt.