BROOKLYN, N.Y. - R&B singer R. Kelly pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges in federal court in Brooklyn on Friday.

Prosecutors argued that R. Kelly is a flight risk and a danger to society because the case involves minors. 

Prosecutors also worried that the singer could tamper with witness testimony.

Kelly faces five federal charges here in New York. They include one count of racketeering and four counts of violating the "Mann Act," which prohibits the transportation of people across state lines for prostitution. 

The New York indictment accuses Kelly's team of recruiting young girls and women at his concerts and forcing them to follow strict rules, such as not being able to leave their rooms without permission and having to call the singer "daddy."

These charges are on top of 13 federal and state charges he faces in Illinois. Kelly has also pleaded not guilty to those charges.