Famous Singer Sean Kingston Sentenced To Years Behind Bars

A judge sentenced singer and rapper Sean Kingston to over three years in prison Friday for his role in a million-dollar fraud scheme.

Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were each convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud, according to CBS News. Turner was issued a five-year sentence in July.

Turner and Kingston were accused of swindling businesses out of more than $1 million in a fraud scheme involving jewelry, luxury vehicles and other valuables. The pair were convicted of falsely claiming they had sent money transfers and keeping the items, according to the outlet.

Authorities displayed evidence revealing Turner and Kingston allegedly gave proof of payment with fake wire transfer receipts, CBS News reported.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Recording artist Sean Kingston performs onstage during the 2015 Hollywood Christmas Parade on November 29, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for The Hollywood Christmas Parade)

Kingston faced up to six years behind bars but his lawyers requested leniency from the judge, pointing to his clean record and numerous charitable efforts, TMZ reported.

The rapper must pay back the money owed to the victims, according to the outlet. Kingston’s lawyers appealed for home confinement so he could generate the funds required for repayment.

The SWAT team raided Kingston’s rented mansion in Southwest Ranches, Florida, in May 2024, and Turner was taken into custody. Kingston was arrested at an army training base in California’s Mojave Desert, where he was performing, according to CBS News.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Recording artist Sean Kingston, jewelry detail, attends 2015 Hollywood Christmas Parade on November 29, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Hollywood Christmas Parade)

CBS reported that during the trial, a key piece of evidence was a text message allegedly sent by Kingston to Turner that read: “I told you to make [a] fake receipt.”

That message was followed by another that allegedly read, “so it [looks] like the transfer will be there in a couple [of] days.” (RELATED: Todd And Julie Chrisley Released From Prison)

Turner and Kingston both face state fraud charges in addition to the federal charges, according to CBS.