Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, have been found guilty on all counts in their federal wire fraud trial in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
A jury convicted the pair on Friday after just three and a half hours of deliberation, according to NBC News.
Kingston, 34, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and Turner, 61, were accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud multiple high-end businesses, including a luxury jewelry store, a custom bed manufacturer, an exotic car dealership, and a microLED TV company.
Prosecutors alleged that Kingston used his celebrity status and social media influence to persuade sellers to provide high-end goods before payment, with Turner managing logistics and communication.
However, authorities say payments were made using fraudulent wire transfers, allowing Kingston to keep the items without ever paying.
The scheme reportedly spanned several years before unraveling in March 2024.
Kingston Under House Arrest, Turner in Federal Custody
Following the verdict, Turner was remanded into federal custody and will remain jailed until sentencing on July 11. Kingston was placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring and must secure his release with a $500,000 surety bond backed by property and $200,000 in cash.
Kingston was arrested in May last year at Fort Irwin, a military base in California, after a SWAT raid at his Florida home in Southwest Ranches.
The court determined that Kingston could remain out of jail until sentencing partly because he chose not to testify. However, Turner’s testimony was deemed obstruction, influencing the judge’s decision to keep her in custody.
Fraudulent Lifestyle Catches Up to Kingston
Despite his legal troubles, Kingston remained composed in court. As the verdict was read, both he and his mother wiped away tears. They shared a brief hug before she was taken into custody.
After court, Kingston was seen leaving in a Lamborghini Urus but declined to speak with reporters.
Kingston rose to fame in 2007 at age 17 with his breakout hit Beautiful Girls, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. The song, known for blending hip-hop and Jamaican musical traditions, has amassed over a billion views on YouTube.
Kingston and Turner now face potentially lengthy prison sentences when they return to court on July 11.
