A jury in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has found rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, guilty of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving over $1 million in stolen assets. The conviction occurred on Friday, as announced by prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of Florida.
Sean Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, aged 35, and his mother, aged 62, both residents of Southwest Ranches, Florida, faced five counts of wire fraud. They were accused of acquiring luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other high-value goods by submitting fraudulent documents, misrepresenting their payments to various establishments.
According to prosecutors, the defendants managed to secure these items through an “organized scheme to defraud” that targeted several businesses, including a car dealership and a jeweler, resulting in losses exceeding $50,000. Among the items reported stolen were a Cadillac Escalade and approximately $480,000 in jewelry.
Both Kingston and Turner now face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for July. Following the convictions, Janice Turner was taken into federal custody, while her attorney, Humberto Dominguez, announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Sean Kingston, who did not testify during the trial, was granted the opportunity to post bond secured by a home valued at $500,000 and $200,000 in cash. However, he will remain under home detention with electronic monitoring. Kingston's lawyer, Zeljka Bozanic, expressed gratitude for the bond approval but confirmed their intention to file an appeal as well.
Sean Kingston gained fame at the young age of 17 with his debut single “Beautiful Girls,” which famously sampled Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.” The track dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart, securing the No. 1 position for four consecutive weeks in 2007. His unique background, having spent his childhood in Jamaica, contributed to his musical style and command of patois.
Despite his early success, Kingston's personal life has been marred by legal issues. Notably, his mother, Janice Turner, previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing fraudulent loan applications in 2006, serving a 16-month sentence before her release in March 2007.
The recent convictions of Sean Kingston and Janice Turner highlight the serious consequences of engaging in fraudulent activities. As they prepare for sentencing, the case serves as a reminder of the legal repercussions that can arise from financial crimes.
