Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, have been indicted in South Florida on federal charges involving over $1 million in fraudulent transactions.
The indictment, returned earlier this month by a Miami grand jury, accuses the pair of defrauding victims of high-end vehicles, jewelry, and other luxury goods through the use of fraudulent documents.
The 34-year-old Kingston and his 61-year-old mother appeared in federal court on Friday.
Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Anderson, was previously arrested at Fort Irwin, California, on May 23, during a performance.
Turner was apprehended the same day in a SWAT raid at Kingston’s rented mansion in Fort Lauderdale.
Federal prosecutors allege that Kingston and Turner falsely claimed to have completed bank wire transfers or other payments for high-value items, but failed to make any actual payments.
They reportedly kept over $1 million worth of goods without paying.
State charges against Kingston and Turner include theft of nearly $500,000 in jewelry, $200,000 from Bank of America, $160,000 from a Cadillac Escalade dealer, over $100,000 from First Republic Bank, and $86,000 from a customized bed manufacturer.
Kingston, known for his 2007 hit “Beautiful Girls” and collaborations with Justin Bieber, was already serving a two-year probation for trafficking stolen property.
Turner, previously convicted of bank fraud in 2006, had served approximately 1.5 years in prison for stealing over $160,000.
Attorney Robert Rosenblatt, representing Kingston and Turner, has stated that they look forward to addressing the charges and are “confident of a successful resolution.”
