A federal judge ruled Thursday that R. Kelly can be moved to New York City to stand trial after several delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

According to the Associated Press, Kelly was held in Chicago, where he faces a potential second trial related to a sex crimes investigation. 

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The New York trial, set to be held in federal court, has been put off multiple times due to COVID-19.  

In a virtual hearing, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly said COVID-19 protections are now in place that will allow the trial to go forward on August 9. 

Kelly is expected to be moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. 

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Prosecutors in New York allege that Kelly led an enterprise made up of his employees who helped him recruit women and girls for sex. 

The jury in the trial will hear from alleged victims whose names are not identified. 

The singer is currently serving time at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago after being indicted on federal child pornography, obstruction of justice and racketeering charges, NBC reported. 

In 2020, he requested release over concerns of the pandemic, but a federal judge denied the request. 

He faces several counts of state and federal sexual misconduct charges in multiple states and he has denied all allegations against him.