Ayoko Francisca Ahite
Last Updated on October 14, 2026 by Ayoko Francisca Ahite
Background
Sean Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Paul Anderson, and his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, were convicted of defrauding luxury merchandise vendors of more than $1 million in property. A federal jury found both guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.
Federal prosecutors said Kingston contacted sellers through social media between April 2023 and March 2024 to arrange purchases of expensive merchandise. He then invited them to luxury homes in Broward County, Florida, where he used his celebrity status to gain their trust.
Kingston offered social media promotion and suggested that he could refer vendors to high-profile celebrity clients. The merchandise obtained through the scheme included a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, high-end watches, and a 232-inch LED television.
When payments were due, Kingston or Turner sent vendors fake wire-transfer receipts obtained by Turner. Prosecutors said no money had been transferred from legitimate accounts. Vendors grew suspicious when the funds didn’t arrive. Some received payment only after filing lawsuits or involving law enforcement; others were never paid.
Convictions and Sentences
Kingston and Turner were convicted on all five counts on March 28, 2025.
Turner was sentenced to five years in federal prison on July 23, 2025. Kingston received a sentence of three years and six months on August 15, 2025. Both sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge David S. Leibowitz.
