Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, have been found guilty of wire fraud in a Florida federal court, concluding a high-profile case involving fraudulent luxury purchases. The verdict, delivered on March 28, 2025, follows accusations that the duo scammed businesses out of more than $1 million through fake wire transfers.
Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Paul Anderson, and Turner were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud along with five separate counts of wire fraud. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 11, 2025.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing that Kingston and Turner used falsified financial documents to acquire high-end items, including a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, luxury watches, and state-of-the-art electronics. They allegedly lured businesses into the scam by promising promotional deals and leveraging Kingston’s connections to celebrities, including Justin Bieber.
Authorities identified Turner, 62, as the mastermind behind the scheme, citing her previous conviction for bank fraud in 2006, for which she served 18 months in prison after stealing over $160,000.
The courtroom saw emotional moments as Kingston, best known for his 2007 hit Beautiful Girls, reportedly broke down in tears upon hearing the verdict. Witnesses say he pleaded with officials to “protect my mother” as the reality of the conviction set in.
Kingston has since been placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring until sentencing. His release was secured after family members posted a $200,000 surety and offered a $500,000 family home as collateral.
Despite the conviction, Kingston and Turner’s legal team have announced plans to appeal the ruling. Their attorneys maintain that key aspects of the case were misrepresented and have vowed to challenge the verdict in the coming months.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, raising questions about celebrity financial dealings and fraud in high-end business transactions.
