Rapper and singer Sean Kingston, known for his chart-topping hit “Beautiful Girls,” has returned to South Florida under a cloud of serious legal allegations. Kingston, 34, and his mother, Janice Turner, 61, are accused of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme totaling over one million dollars.
Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was booked into the Broward County jail on Sunday. His arrest followed a dramatic series of events beginning on May 23, when he was apprehended at Fort Irwin, an Army training base in California’s Mojave Desert, where he was performing. Last week, Kingston waived his right to contest extradition in a California court, facilitating his transfer to Florida authorities.
Turner, Kingston’s mother, was arrested the same day as her son during a SWAT raid on his rented mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Both have been charged with conducting an organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, identity theft, and related crimes, according to arrest warrants released by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
The detailed allegations against the duo are staggering. The warrants allege that between October and March, Kingston and Turner stole nearly $500,000 in jewelry, over $200,000 from Bank of America, $160,000 from a Cadillac Escalade dealer, more than $100,000 from First Republic Bank, and $86,000 from a custom bed manufacturer. Specific details of how these alleged thefts were carried out have not been disclosed.
Robert Rosenblatt, the attorney representing Kingston and his mother, expressed optimism about the upcoming legal proceedings. “They look forward to addressing the charges in a Florida court and are confident of a successful resolution,” Rosenblatt said.
This is not the first brush with the law for either Kingston or his mother. Kingston is currently serving a two-year probation sentence for trafficking stolen property. Turner has a criminal history as well; she pleaded guilty to bank fraud in 2006 for stealing over $160,000, which resulted in her serving nearly 1.5 years in prison.
Sean Kingston gained international fame in 2007 with his debut single “Beautiful Girls” and has since collaborated with prominent artists, including Justin Bieber on the hit song “Eenie Meenie.” Despite his musical success, these recent allegations have cast a shadow over his career and personal life.
As the case progresses, both Kingston and Turner will face the judicial system in Florida, where they will attempt to clear their names amidst the serious accusations levied against them.
Credit: AP
