American singer Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison over his involvement in a $1 million luxury goods fraud scheme.
The 35-year-old star was convicted in March alongside his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, who was sentenced last month to five years behind bars. Both were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.
Prosecutors revealed that Kingston used his celebrity influence to acquire luxury items such as a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, designer watches, and a massive 19-foot LED TV without paying. He reportedly presented fake wire transfer receipts and enticed sellers with false promises of social media promotions.
At his sentencing in South Florida, Judge David Leibowitz ordered his immediate imprisonment, rejecting his attorney’s request for delayed surrender due to health concerns.
Prosecutor Marc Anton described Kingston as a “thief and a conman” who exploited his fame for years, while his lawyer, Zeljka Bozanic, argued that the singer was financially reckless but had started compensating some victims.
The conviction came after a SWAT raid on Kingston’s Fort Lauderdale mansion in May 2024, which led to the arrests of both him and his mother.
Kingston, born in Florida but raised in Jamaica, rose to global fame at just 17 with his 2007 hit single Beautiful Girls.