Additional Coverage:
- Sean Kingston is sentenced to 3½ years in prison after mom got 5 years for fraud scheme (latimes.com)
Singer Sean Kingston Sentenced to Prison for Fraud
Sean Kingston, the artist behind the hit song “Beautiful Girls,” has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his role in a million-dollar fraud scheme. A Florida court handed down the sentence on Friday after Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Paul Anderson, and his mother, Janice Turner, were convicted in March on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud each.
Kingston’s attorney, Zeljka Bozanic, expressed respect for the court’s decision, noting that the defense was pleased with the shorter sentence than the five years initially requested by the prosecution. Bozanic also stated that a significant portion of the restitution had already been paid prior to the charges being filed and emphasized Kingston’s commitment to learning from the experience. The defense is considering all legal options, including appeals.
During the sentencing hearing, Kingston apologized for his actions. He was taken into custody despite his attorney’s request for a later self-surrender date due to health concerns. Prior filings by the defense highlighted Kingston’s lack of prior prison time, his charitable activities, and his acceptance of responsibility in an effort to argue for a reduced sentence.
Prosecutors detailed how Kingston and his mother defrauded various businesses and individuals of luxury goods including jewelry, a Cadillac Escalade, and furniture, totaling over $480,000. They also defrauded banks of more than $300,000. Kingston’s mother, Janice Turner, was sentenced last month to five years in prison for her involvement in the scheme.
Kingston, known for hits like “Eenie Meenie” and “Fire Burning,” initially rose to fame with “Beautiful Girls” in the early 2000s.