Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were recently convicted in federal court for their involvement in a massive fraud scheme totaling over $1 million.
The 35-year-old Kingston and his 62-year-old mother were found guilty of defrauding various businesses, including a luxury jewelry store, a high-end bed company, a used exotic car dealership, and a luxury TV company.
The crimes reportedly took place starting in October 2023.
The Charges and Conviction
The jury convicted both Kingston and Turner on all five charges brought against them, and each of them now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
According to reports, Kingston was visibly emotional in court when the verdict was read.
TMZ reported that he was seen crying, while his mother, Turner, was escorted from the courtroom and taken into custody.
Kingston reportedly pleaded with U.S. Marshals to “protect my mother” as she was led away.
Turner has been deemed a flight risk, which is why she remains in custody, while Kingston will remain under home detention until their sentencing on July 11.
Both individuals had pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment hearing last August.
The Arrests and Legal History
The investigation into the duo’s fraudulent activities began last year.
Kingston was initially arrested in May 2023 while performing at Fort Irwin, an Army training base in California, after a warrant was issued by the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Turner’s arrest came on the same day, when a SWAT team raided Kingston’s rented mansion in Southwest Ranches, Florida.
The charges against them include stealing money, high-value jewelry worth $480,000, a $160,000 Cadillac Escalade, and various furniture.
Kingston’s legal team attempted to defend him, arguing that he was a “child” who didn’t fully understand his financial matters.
However, the judge painted a different picture, describing Turner as the “fixer” and the “nerve center” behind the criminal operation.
A Troubled Past
This isn’t the first time the Kingston family has faced legal trouble.
In 2006, Turner’s previous conviction for bank fraud saw her sentenced to nearly 1.5 years in prison after stealing over $160,000.
Kingston also had a run-in with the law before, serving two years on probation for trafficking stolen property.
Additionally, the duo has faced multiple lawsuits from businesses.
In 2015, a seller of customized watches successfully sued Kingston and Turner for failing to pay a $356,000 bill.
Three years later, a New York jeweler also sued them for $301,000 over nine stolen items.
More recently, a Florida company that installed a massive 232-inch TV in Kingston’s home sued him for failing to pay a significant portion of the bill.
Decline in Career and Continued Struggles
Sean Kingston, born Kisean Paul Anderson in 1990, rose to fame in the late 2000s with his breakout hit “Beautiful Girls,” which topped the charts and featured a track inspired by Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.”
His collaborations with major artists like Justin Bieber, Dr. Dre, and Nicki Minaj further solidified his place in hip-hop.
However, Kingston’s career has seen a significant decline in recent years.
His 2022 album Road to Deliverance failed to make an impact on the charts, and he has been without a major label release in over a decade.
Despite his early success, it appears his legal troubles and a lack of new music have overshadowed his once-promising career.