Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison following his conviction in a $1 million fraud scheme. The "Beautiful Girls" singer, whose real name is Kisean Paul Anderson, was taken into immediate custody after Judge David Leibowitz refused his request for house arrest.
The 35-year-old musician apologised to the court and pleaded for leniency, citing his charitable contributions. His legal team had requested he be allowed to self-surrender at a later date, but the judge ordered immediate detention.
Swift conviction and sentencing
Kingston and his mother Janice Turner were convicted on all five charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud. According to the Mirror, the trial was completed in just five days in March, with the jury deliberating for only three and a half hours before reaching their verdict.
Turner was sentenced to five years in prison last month. Both face restitution hearings scheduled for October.
Elaborate fraud scheme
The fraud operation involved obtaining luxury goods through fake wire transfer receipts between April 2023 and March 2024. Prosecutors detailed how Kingston would invite sellers to his Florida home, promising to feature their products on social media to negotiate deals.
The Mirror reports specific fraud amounts included a $160,000 Cadillac Escalade, $500,000 worth of jewelry, and an $86,000 custom bed. Victims either never received payment or had to pursue legal action to recover their money.
Celebrity status exploitation
Court documents revealed Kingston used his fame to manipulate victims, with Ver Ver Entertainment alleging he employed a systematic approach. The company claimed he would reference connections to other celebrities, including Justin Bieber, to build trust with potential victims.
Attorney Dennis Card told the court: "It is amazing what you can get away with if you are a celebrity. He creates this larger than life, 'I am rich' persona."
Dramatic arrests
According to the Mirror, Kingston was arrested while performing at Fort Irwin Army base in California, whilst his mother was detained in a SWAT raid. The arrests followed an investigation that included a raid on Kingston's Florida residence.
The scheme involved high-end electronics, luxury vehicles, and jewelry, with prosecutors alleging the pair would send fake payment confirmations when bills came due.
Sources used: "Metro", "Mirror", "Daily Star" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
