FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Sean Kingston, the singer known for his hit "Beautiful Girls," and his mother, Janice Turner, were found guilty of multiple wire fraud charges in a federal court on March 28, 2025. The verdict came after a jury deliberated for three hours, ultimately convicting the pair on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. Each of these charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Kingston, 35, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and Turner, 62, were embroiled in a scheme that allegedly defrauded sellers of high-end luxury items, including specialty vehicles, jewelry, and other expensive goods, totaling over $1 million. The trial revealed that the duo used fraudulent documents and fake wire transfer receipts to obtain items without making actual payments.
Following the verdict, Turner was immediately taken into custody due to her past criminal history, with the judge labeling her the "operator, fixer, and accountant" behind the fraudulent activities. As she was led away, she blew a kiss to her daughter, who mouthed back, "I love you." Kingston, on the other hand, was placed under house arrest until sentencing, which is scheduled for July 11, 2025. The judge denied Kingston's request to travel to Texas for a performance, stating, "He's not going to Texas." In a bid to secure his release, Kingston's sister is posting a $200,000 bond, and his aunt is offering her home as collateral.
The troubles for Kingston and Turner began in May 2024 when they were arrested following a SWAT raid on Kingston's mansion in Southwest Ranches, Florida. This raid was prompted by a lawsuit alleging that Kingston had failed to pay for luxury items. By July of that year, both were indicted in Miami federal court, with charges stemming from a scheme to defraud sellers of luxury goods using fraudulent documents.
Evidence presented during the trial included testimony from Fort Lauderdale jeweler Moshe Edery, who stated that he provided Kingston with an Audemars Piguet watch valued at $285,000, under the promise of future celebrity introductions. However, Kingston provided a screenshot of a wire transfer that the bank later confirmed was not authentic. Edery testified that he was subsequently fired and blacklisted after Kingston failed to pay.
Turner testified during the trial, admitting to falsifying wire transfers in an attempt to protect her son from scammers by delaying payments for luxury items. One of the key pieces of evidence against them was a text message sent from Kingston to Turner, which read, "I told you to make [a] fake receipt," followed by, "so it [looks] like the transfer will be there in a couple [of] days." This message underscored the premeditated nature of their actions.
Kingston's defense painted a different picture, arguing that he was a "soft guy" who grew up in poverty and had no knowledge of how to manage finances. His attorney described him as someone who rose to fame overnight and had little understanding of his financial situation. Despite this defense, the jury found both Kingston and Turner guilty on all counts.
The prosecution described the mother-son duo as "masters of deception and fraud," emphasizing the calculated nature of their scheme. They were accused of using Kingston's celebrity status to convince vendors to provide goods and services before receiving full payment. The indictment detailed how they enriched themselves by falsely representing that they had executed bank wire transfers for vehicles, jewelry, and other goods.
Among their alleged ill-gotten gains were three luxury watches, which involved fake wire transfers totaling $285,000 and $480,000, a $160,000 luxury SUV, and $40,000 worth of audio/video equipment. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida stated that Kingston leveraged his celebrity to persuade victim vendors to deviate from their standard business practices.
In addition to the federal charges, Kingston and Turner also face state-level charges in Florida, which are yet to go to trial. These state charges include allegations of grand theft and fraudulently using individuals' personal information to obtain services.
As the sentencing date approaches, both Kingston and Turner are bracing for the potential consequences of their actions. The outcome of this case serves as a stark reminder of the legal repercussions that can arise from fraudulent behavior, regardless of one's celebrity status.
Kingston, who gained fame with his chart-topping single in 2007, has released several albums and collaborated with renowned artists like Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj. His fall from grace into legal troubles marks a significant turn in his career, leaving fans and industry insiders alike wondering how this will impact his future.
As the two await their sentencing, the story of Sean Kingston and Janice Turner continues to unfold, highlighting the complexities of fame, financial management, and the legal system.
