Rapper Sean Kingston will spend the next three and a half years in federal prison after being sentenced Friday for his role in a fraud scheme that topped $1 million. Judge David Leibowitz ordered Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Paul Anderson, to begin serving his sentence immediately.
The 35-year-old “Beautiful Girls” singer was convicted in March along with his mother, Janice Turner, on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. Turner received a five-year prison sentence last month.
Prosecutors detailed how Kingston used his celebrity status to obtain luxury items without paying for them. He contacted victims through social media, invited them to his South Florida homes, and promised to promote their products on his platforms. When payment was due, Kingston or his mother would send fake wire receipts that falsely showed money had been transferred.
“He is a thief and a conman, plain and simple,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton during the trial.
The stolen items included high-end watches, a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, and a massive 232-inch LED television. When the funds never appeared, victims often pursued legal action or contacted law enforcement.
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Before sentencing, Kingston apologized to the court and said he had learned from his actions. His attorney, Zeljka Bozanic, had requested home confinement instead of prison time, arguing that Kingston had accepted responsibility for his actions, that most restitution had already been paid back, and that his crimes were non-violent.
“Mr. Anderson is deeply remorseful for his conduct and involvement in this scheme and has had time to step back and reflect on his actions and how to make amends,” Bozanic stated in a court filing.
Judge Leibowitz opted for a middle ground between the defense request and the government’s recommendation of five to six years in federal detention. Along with the 42-month prison term, Kingston will serve three years of supervised release, which includes conditions like prohibited drug use, DNA collection, and maintaining lawful employment.
A restitution hearing is scheduled for October 16 to determine the final amounts owed to victims and establish a repayment structure.
Kingston rose to fame in 2007 at age 17 when “Beautiful Girls,” his reggae-infused pop single sampling Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me,” topped the Billboard Hot 100. He has collaborated with artists including Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Chris Brown throughout his career.
According to court records, this isn’t the first fraud case involving Kingston’s family. His mother previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud in 2006 for stealing over $160,000 and served nearly 18 months in prison. Kingston and Turner have also faced multiple civil lawsuits for failure to pay for luxury items.
