Singer Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, have been found guilty of fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal trial.
The 35-year-old artist, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, has been placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring, while Turner was taken into custody. As part of his bail conditions, Kingston must post a surety bond of $500,000 in property and $200,000 in cash, according to NBC6 South Florida. Sentencing is set for July 11.
Details of the Trial
The trial, which began on March 24, concluded with closing arguments on March 28. The jury deliberated for three and a half hours before delivering the guilty verdict, per NBC6.
Kingston and his mother were convicted of defrauding multiple businesses, including jewelers, a television installation company, and a luxury car dealership. Prosecutors stated that the total value of stolen goods exceeded $1 million.
While Kingston did not testify, the judge ruled his mother a flight risk, in part because she did take the stand, according to Local10. In footage shared by the outlet, Kingston was heard pleading with U.S. Marshals to “protect my mother” as he left the courthouse.
Fraudulent Scheme & Charges
One of the key testimonies came from Fort Lauderdale jeweler Moshe Edery, who said a $285,000 wire transfer from Kingston failed, damaging his reputation. “I’m being scammed,” Edery stated in court.
Kingston and Turner were arrested in May 2024 and made their first court appearance in July. They faced one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud. According to the indictment, Turner handled deliveries and wire transfers, often sending fraudulent payments instead. Their fraudulent activities reportedly spanned several years.
Defense & Kingston’s Legacy
During the trial, the defense argued that the prosecution lacked evidence proving the pair intended to commit fraud. They also claimed that some victims had received refunds, per NBC6.
Kingston, who was born in Miami and raised in Jamaica, gained international fame in 2007 with his hit song “Beautiful Girls”. He continued his success into the 2010s, collaborating with Justin Bieber and even making an appearance on Disney Channel’s “Suite Life on Deck.”
