Rapper Sean Kingston broke down into tears and cried out for protection for his mother as the two were found guilty of wire fraud charges in a Florida courtroom on Friday, according to a report.
The “Beautiful Girls” singer and Janice Turner were convicted of all five charges they faced stemming from their May 2024 arrest where they swindled over a million dollars in money and goods from car dealerships, several banks and a mattress firm.
Federal prosecutors allege Kingston and Turner attempted to defraud their victims by using fraudulent documents in exchange for luxury cars, jewelry and other goods.
The 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was crying with his hands clasped as the jury read its verdict inside the Fort Lauderdale federal court, WPLG reported.
Sean Kingston and his mother Janice Turner attend the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Nov. 18, 2012. Getty Images
Turner, 62, was accused by the judge of being the “fixer and nerve center” in charge of the scheme as her past convictions for similar crimes painted her as in charge of the scheme.
She served a year and a half in prison after pleading guilty to stealing over $160,000 in a bank fraud scheme back in 2006.
“Mama Kingston,” as she is known on Instagram, was ordered to be held at the Broward County Jail after the judge considered her to be a flight risk because of her testimony during the trial.
Kingston’s defense team described him as a “child” who did not understand finances and would spend the money with no regard.
Sean Kingston’s mugshot after he was booked into Florida’s Broward County Jail on June 3, 2024. BCSO/MEGA
Turner, 62, was accused by the judge of being the “fixer and nerve center” in charge of the scheme as her past convictions for similar crimes painted her as in charge of the scheme. BCSO/MEGA
He did not testify during the trial.
“Protect my mother,” the rapper cried out as US Marshalls took Turner into custody, the outlet reported.
Kingston was placed under house arrest and with bond conditions of a $200,000 surety bond in cash.
He also has to put up a relative’s $500,000 house as part of the bond requirement.
Kingston remained silent and didn’t answer questions from reporters as he left the courthouse after his conviction.
A SWAT team raided Kingston’s rented mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 23.
The arrests stemmed from a civil lawsuit filed against the rapper by Ver Ver Entertainment LLC in February 2024 that sought payment of damages for breach of contract and fraud after Kingston ordered the 232-inch Colossal TV and a sound system for his home.
To lower the price of the $111,000 purchase, Kingston supposedly promised to make promotional videos about the products with his friend, Justin Bieber, the suit said.
The commercials were never made and Bieber was never involved.
Law enforcement officers outside Kingston’s South Florida mansion during a raid on May 23, 2024.
They are accused of stealing almost $500,000 in jewelry, more than $200,000 from Bank of America, $160,000 from the Escalade dealer, more than $100,000 from First Republic Bank, $86,000 from the maker of customized beds from October 2023 to March 2024.
Prosecutors said Kingston and Turner “unjustly enriched themselves,” telling various sellers they sent out wire transfers for payment towards high-end vehicles and jewelry when the banks had executed no such transfers.
They had obtained over $1 million worth of possessions through the scheme.
Victims of the ruse testified the mother and son duo defrauded them out of a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, a Colossal TV and hundreds of thousands of dollars in watches.
Kingston and Turner were successfully sued on two separate occasions and forced to pay over $300,000 in both cases.
The two had to dish out $356,000 in 2015 after they were accused in New York City federal court of failing to pay a customized watch seller.
Three years later the mother-son duo had to pay $301,000 to a New York jeweler who claimed they scammed the store out of nine items.
On May 23 federal agents raided Kingston’s South Florida mansion, arresting Turner in the process.
The rapper was performing at Fort Irwin in California’s Mojave Desert for the US Army MWR program at the time.
Law enforcement officers detained the rapper before he was booked into San Bernardino jail. He had already been on two years probation for trafficking stolen property when he was busted.
Sean Kingston performs during The Hot Summer Nights Tour at The FPL Solar Amphitheatre in Miami, Florida on June 3, 2023. Larry Marano/Shutterstock
He later agreed to fly back to Florida to face his charges.
The two face up to 20 years in prison, the maximum for federal wire fraud cases, while the sentencing hearings were set for July 11.
With Post wires
