‎Sean Kingston sentenced to 42 months in federal wire fraud case involving $1 million in luxury goods

‎Sean Kingston, the chart-topping singer known for “Beautiful Girls,” was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison on Friday, August 15, after being convicted of wire fraud related to a scheme that targeted more than $1 million in luxury goods. The Florida federal court also imposed three years of probation as part of Kingston’s sentence.

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‎Sean Kingston receives 3.5 years in prison for defrauding vendors of $1M in luxury cars, jewelry, and goods; restitution hearings set for October.

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‎The case involved Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, defrauding vendors of high-end merchandise, including a Cadillac Escalade and a large LED television. Jurors found Kingston guilty in March of wire fraud conspiracy and four counts of wire fraud after a trial that concluded in under four hours of deliberation.

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‎Prosecutors detailed how Kingston and Turner leveraged his celebrity status to obtain goods without immediate payment. The duo promised social media promotion or cited high-profile celebrity connections as incentives for vendors. Once the merchandise was delivered, they sent fake wire transfer receipts to falsely indicate payment had been made.

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‎Kingston requested a sentence of house arrest, highlighting his charitable work and lack of prior convictions. Judge David S. Leibowitz instead adhered closely to sentencing guidelines, which had recommended 57 to 71 months in prison. Kingston’s attorney, Zeljka Bozanic, acknowledged the court’s decision and emphasized that a substantial portion of the defrauded money had already been returned to victims. Bozanic added that Kingston views the experience as a learning opportunity and that appeals are under consideration to protect his legal rights.

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‎Turner, who participated in the scheme alongside her son, was sentenced last month to five years in prison. Restitution hearings for both defendants are scheduled for October, offering them the opportunity to address repayment of the defrauded funds.