Music star Sean Kingston, known for his 2007 hit 'Beautiful Girls,' has to spend time in jail after being unable to post bond following guilty verdict in multiple charges involving a $1 million scheme.
- April 16, 2025
AceShowbiz - Sean Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud last month. According to court documents, he and his mother, Janice Turner, orchestrated a scheme that defrauded several businesses out of high-value items, including luxury goods and high-end cars. The total value of the fraudulent acquisitions exceeded $1 million.
Following their conviction, Kingston and his mother were initially unable to post their respective bonds. Kingston was held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami after failing to pay a $100,000 cash bond, as confirmed by both NBC News and PEOPLE.
His attorney, Zeljka Bozanic, confirmed that "his bond had been posted and he is in the process of getting released" after being held in federal prison. NBC News reported that Kingston was also required to post a surety bond of a home valued at $500,000 and $200,000 in cash.
The trial, which began on March 24 and concluded on March 28, saw multiple witnesses testify against the mother-son duo. Fort Lauderdale jeweler Moshe Edery took the stand, recounting how he lost credibility after a failed $285,000 transfer from Kingston.
The defense argued that there was no intent to commit fraud and that some victims had been reimbursed. However, the jury was unconvinced and convicted Kingston and Turner after three and a half hours of deliberation.
During the trial, Turner was deemed a flight risk, partly due to her testimony, and was taken into federal custody. Kingston, who did not testify on his own behalf, was seen clasping his hands and crying as the guilty verdict was read. He pleaded with U.S. Marshals to "protect my mother" as Turner was taken away.
The judge characterized Turner as the "fixer, the nerve center" of the scheme. Kingston's defense painted him as financially naive, likening him to a "child" who had no knowledge about finances and was prone to overspending.
Sentencing for both is set for July 11, with Turner scheduled at 9 a.m. and Kingston at 11 a.m. Wire fraud carries a federal prison sentence of up to 20 years, leaving the future uncertain for both the artist and his mother.
