Sean Kingston, the 34-year-old rapper known for hits like “Beautiful Girls,” and his mother, Janice Turner, 61, have been indicted by a grand jury on charges related to a fraudulent scheme amounting to over $1 million.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida, Kingston and Turner appeared in federal court after being accused of orchestrating a complex fraud involving high-end vehicles, jewelry, and other luxury items. The indictment alleges that they deceived sellers by falsely claiming to have initiated bank transfers for purchases, when in fact no such payments were made.
The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud, stemming from their alleged scheme to obtain expensive goods through fraudulent means. The U.S. Attorney’s Office asserts that Kingston and Turner enriched themselves by misrepresenting payment transfers for vehicles, jewelry, and other items, resulting in losses exceeding $1 million.
According to details from The Associated Press, the indictment specifies alleged thefts including nearly $500,000 in jewelry, over $200,000 from Bank of America, $160,000 from a Cadillac Escalade dealership, more than $100,000 from First Republic Bank, and $86,000 from a custom bed manufacturer.
If convicted, Kingston and his mother face up to 20 years in prison for each count. The indictment follows Kingston’s recent arrest in California and subsequent extradition to Florida, where Turner was also apprehended during a SWAT raid on their Florida residence.
This legal action comes amidst previous legal troubles for Kingston, including probation for trafficking stolen property and Turner’s prior conviction for bank fraud.
