by Janice Turner, the mother of singer Sean Kingston, was sentenced to five years in federal prison after being convicted in a multi-million-dollar wire fraud scheme. The sentencing, handed down this week, follows Turner’s conviction alongside her son for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud involving over $1 million in luxury goods acquired under false pretenses.
Scheme Involved Luxury Items and Deceptive Transfers
- The fraud occurred between October 2023 and March 2024.
- Turner, 63, and Kingston (legal name Kisean Anderson) were accused of:
- Acquiring high-end vehicles
- Purchasing luxury jewelry (including a $285,000 watch)
- Retaining items without completing payment
- Using fraudulent wire transfers to deceive vendors
According to NBC Miami, the duo targeted multiple luxury item vendors, ultimately causing significant financial losses to the businesses involved.
Courtroom Statements and Pleas for Leniency
- During her sentencing, Turner expressed regret:
- “I’m sorry. My intention was to keep my son afloat in this difficult industry. They used him and abused him. I am begging for mercy for me and my son,” she said, as reported by CBS News Miami.
- Her legal team had requested:
- A reduced sentence of 30 months, citing remorse and restitution efforts
- That she serve time in a Miami-based facility to stay near her family
Her attorney also stated that most defrauded businesses had been compensated.
Kingston Yet to Be Sentenced
- Sean Kingston remains on house arrest and is awaiting sentencing on August 28.
- The singer submitted a letter to the judge, asking for leniency for his mother, whom he called:
- “A great mom, a loving, caring person,” according to his mother’s attorney Humberto Dominguez.
Legal Consequences and Background
- In addition to her five-year prison term, Turner will face:
- Three years of supervised release
- Possible deportation to Jamaica
- Turner has a prior conviction for bank fraud in 2006.
- Kingston, at the time of the fraud, was on probation for trafficking stolen property.
- Their arrest occurred in May 2024, and the jury deliberated for less than four hours, signaling a swift verdict.
A Fall from Fame
Sean Kingston rose to international fame in 2007 with his hit single “Beautiful Girls”, and later collaborated with major artists including Justin Bieber. However, the recent convictions have marred his public image and revealed a more complex personal and financial background.
According to Hoodline, the case highlights a sharp contrast between Kingston’s former pop star persona and the criminal proceedings now shaping his and his mother’s future.
