A federal jury in the United States convicted singer and rapper Sean Kingston, alongside his mother Janice Turner, of all charges related to a luxury fraud scheme. The verdict was delivered on Friday evening, and Turner was promptly taken into custody, with the judge highlighting her previous criminal history and her significant involvement in the scam as reasons for his decision. Described by the judge as the “operator, fixer, and accountant” of the fraudulent operation, Turner bid farewell to her daughter with a kiss as she was led away.
Kingston, who is 35 and legally named Kisean Anderson, was placed under house arrest pending his sentencing. His request to attend a scheduled performance in Texas was denied by the judge, who firmly stated, “He’s not going to Texas.”
Prosecutors alleged that Kingston and Turner devised a scheme to acquire luxury items—including a high-end SUV, jewellery, expensive watches, and a large television—without making payment. The investigation began with a raid on Kingston’s residence in Southwest Ranches, Florida, and authorities presented evidence that the duo used counterfeit wire transfer receipts to claim the items were paid for. A significant piece of evidence included a text from Kingston to Turner instructing her to create a fake receipt that would mislead sellers regarding payment timelines.
During closing arguments, Turner’s attorney suggested that the alleged victims themselves may have been engaged in fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, Kingston’s lawyer tried to differentiate his client’s public persona from his financial circumstances, describing him as someone who, despite his sudden fame and success, was ill-equipped to manage business affairs or even understand his financial situation.
Kingston’s legal troubles began when he was arrested on May 23, 2024, at Fort Irwin, a military training facility in California, while performing. Kingston voluntarily waived his extradition rights, leading to his return to Florida.
Both Kingston and Turner are due for sentencing on July 11, with Turner’s hearing scheduled first at 9 AM, followed by Kingston’s at 11 AM. They face additional state charges related to the same fraudulent activities.
Kingston’s rise to fame began with his 2007 hit “Beautiful Girls” and he later collaborated with pop artist Justin Bieber on the track “Eenie Meenie”.