Donnell Russel, 47, the former manager of troubled American singer Robert Kelly aka R Kelly has been sentenced to jail over a shooting threat hoax to stop screening about disgraced music star.
The Associated Press reports that Donnell Russell was sentenced to a year in federal prison on Monday for calling in a Manhattan theatre with a shooting threat in December 2018.
As the judge handed down his sentence, Russell claimed he’s not a “horrible person,” but admitted to making “bad judgements” during his time working with Kelly, who himself is behind bars.
READ ALSO: R Kelly files two motions seeking new trial or an outright reversal of his conviction
US District Judge Paul Gardephe said Russell had taken part in “a misguided attempt to protect someone who was a prolific abuser.”
In the false alarm phone call, Russell claimed someone at the event had a gun and intended to open fire. The theater was subsequently evacuated and the screening called off.
“I was happy that it ended. I didn’t question how it ended,” Russell said of the canceled premiere during his sentencing hearing.
The former manager is expected to serve the year-sentence concurrently with his previous federal convictions. He is due to turn himself in next year.
