Sean Kingston Sentenced For Wire Fraud, Over 3 Years in Prison

On the heels of his mother’s sentencing, rapper Sean Kingston was sentenced Friday to three and a half years in federal prison, along with three years of supervised release, after a jury found him and his mother guilty earlier this year of a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.

Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was convicted in May alongside his mother, Janice Turner, of multiple counts of wire fraud, grand theft, and organized fraud. Prosecutors said the duo exploited Kingston’s celebrity to scam luxury businesses out of more than $1 million in goods and services.

Turner, 63, received a five-year prison sentence last month, followed by three years of probation.

During Friday’s sentencing, Kingston’s attorney, Zeljka Bozanic, portrayed the 35-year-old artist as emotionally stunted, linking his actions to trauma from a 2011 jet ski accident that left him critically injured. She also emphasized his lack of guidance during his rise to fame at 17, citing that his only role model—his mother—was in prison at the time.

“I know he’s very sorry for what he’s done,” Bozanic told the court, also noting that many of the defrauded businesses have since been repaid.

Kingston, speaking only briefly, told the judge: “I’ve learned from my actions,” needing help from his attorney to be heard clearly in the courtroom.

But federal prosecutors dismissed any excuses, saying the scheme had nothing to do with trauma or youth.

“He is a thief through and through,” said Justice Department attorney Marc Anton, who pushed for a five-year sentence.

Kingston’s request to self-surrender for upcoming medical appointments was denied. He was immediately remanded into custody following sentencing, as supporters in the courtroom called out, “We love you.”

A restitution hearing is scheduled for October 16, where final amounts owed to defrauded businesses will be determined.

Kingston and Turner were indicted in 2024 after federal investigators accused the pair of using Kingston’s fame to deceive high-end retailers into delivering luxury goods—ranging from jewelry to electronics and exotic cars—without upfront payment. Authorities say the duo made fraudulent wire transfers or issued worthless payments before keeping the merchandise.

The scheme, according to court documents, spanned several years before it unraveled in March 2024, culminating in Kingston’s arrest during a SWAT raid at his Southwest Ranches, Florida mansion. He was apprehended in Fort Irwin, California.

Among the businesses reportedly defrauded were a jewelry company, a custom luxury bed manufacturer, a microLED TV supplier, and a used exotic car dealership.

Following their convictions, Kingston was placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring, while his mother was taken into federal custody.

Kingston is best known for his 2007 chart-topping hit “Beautiful Girls,” which launched him into stardom at age 17. He has since released three studio albums but has remained largely out of the spotlight in recent years.