Singer Sean Kingston and His Mom Found Guilty in $1M Wire Fraud Trial

Nationwide — Sean Kingston, the 34-year-old singer best known for his hit “Beautiful Girls,” and his mother, Janice Turner, have both been convicted on all five counts in a federal wire fraud case. The two were found guilty of orchestrating a scheme that defrauded various businesses out of over $1 million in luxury goods, including jewelry and high-end vehicles. The verdict was delivered in a Florida courtroom, where Sean reportedly broke down in tears and pleaded with U.S. Marshals to protect his mother as she was taken into custody.

TMZ reports that the court determined that Turner posed a flight risk, which led to her immediate detention following the verdict. Kingston, meanwhile, was placed under home detention as they both await sentencing, scheduled for July 11. Each count carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, making the outcome potentially severe for both mother and son.

According to federal prosecutors, the pair manipulated businesses by claiming they had made legitimate wire transfers to pay for goods—payments that never actually went through. Despite the failed payments, they allegedly retained the merchandise, which included a $160,000 Cadillac Escalade and nearly half a million dollars’ worth of jewelry.

Authorities say that the fraudulent activity was central to how Kingston and his mother enriched themselves. The scheme came to light in May 2024, when federal agents raided Kingston’s mansion in Florida and arrested both individuals shortly thereafter.

During the trial, prosecutors painted Turner as the mastermind, calling her the “fixer” and “nerve center” behind the operation. Kingston’s defense attempted to deflect blame by portraying him as a naïve figure who had no control or knowledge of his financial affairs.

With a potentially lengthy prison term looming, this conviction marks a dramatic downfall for the once-celebrated pop star and his mother, whose criminal activities now overshadow his musical success.

Before his legal troubles, Sean Kingston enjoyed major success in the music industry. He burst onto the scene in 2007 with his debut single “Beautiful Girls,” which topped charts around the world and earned him international fame. His self-titled debut album went platinum, and he followed up with hits like “Fire Burning” and collaborations with artists such as Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Chris Brown. Known for blending reggae, pop, and hip-hop influences, Kingston became a staple of late-2000s pop music and built a loyal fanbase before his career was derailed by controversy.