Rapper Sean Kingston was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison and three years of supervised release on Friday after a jury found him and his mother guilty of wire fraud earlier this year. Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and his mother, Janice Turner, were found guilty of organized fraud and grand theft charges in May fordefrauding businessesof more than $1 million. Turner, 63, was sentenced tofive years in federal prison last monthand three years of probation. Zeljka Bozanic, Kingston's lawyer, argued on Friday that even though Kingston is 35 years old, he still acts like he's a child. She attributed Kingston's crimes to a 2011 jet ski accident that left Kingston severely injured. She also argued that Kingston had no role models growing up besides his mother, who was in prison at the time of his overnight fame, and noted that most of the businesses have been paid back. "I know he's very sorry for what he's done," she said. Kingston briefly addressed the court, saying: "I've learned from my actions." His attorney needed to adjust the mic for him so he could be heard. The prosecution shot down the notion that Kingston's criminal activity had anything to do with his accident and suggested that Kingston be sentenced to 60 months in prison. "He is a thief through and through," Marc Anton, a lawyer for the Justice Department, said. The rapper's requests to self surrender due to scheduled medical appointments were denied. He was remanded once the sentencing on Friday concluded. Kingston's supporters said, "we love you," as he was being taken away. Another restitution hearing is set for Oct. 16. The rapper, who is best known for his 2007 hit song "Beautiful Girls," was arrested in Fort Irwin, California, in May following a SWAT raid on his home in Southwest Ranches, Florida, in Broward County. Kingston and his mother were thenindictedin 2024. Prosecutors accused Kingston and his mother of using his celebrity name to trick luxury businesses into delivering items before payment. Payment was then made using fraudulent or worthless wire transfers, according to the indictment. Turner and Kingston would then keep the stolen items. Arrest warrants said the mother and son defrauded a jewelry business, a luxury bed company, a used luxury and exotic car dealership, and a luxury microLED TV company. The scheme transpired for several years until March 2024, according to the indictment. Kingston and Turner pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their convictions, Kingston was ordered to be confined to house arrest with electronic monitoring, while his mother was remanded in federal custody. With the hit song "Beautiful Girls" reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Kingston became an overnight star at 17 years old. He has released three studio albums since the song came out in 2007.
