Sean Kingston’s mother sentenced to five years in prison on fraud charges
Sean Kingston and his mother were convicted on wire fraud and theft charges earlier this year. Now, his mother has been sentenced to five years behind bars.
Janice Turner discovered her prison sentence at a hearing in Miami federal court on July 23rd. Following the verdict, she said, “I’m sorry. My intention was to keep my son afloat in this difficult industry. They used him and abused him. I am begging for mercy for me and my son.”
According to CBS News, she will have to pay restitution. Turner and Kingston were accused of participating in a “scheme to defraud victim sellers of high-end specialty vehicles, jewellery, and other goods purchased by the defendants through the use of fraudulent documents.”
The decision comes after Turner’s lawyers asked Judge David S Leibowitz to go against the 63 to 78 months suggested by the sentencing guidelines, stating it was excessive for a 62-year-old with “a myriad of health issues.”
“Ms Turner will go to prison; she has earned the prison sentence,” her attorneys said truthfully. “However, a sentence greater than 30 months is a waste of taxpayer resources based upon the history and characteristics of Ms Turner.”
Requesting a Miami prison, they said, “The love and support resulting from Ms Turner’s family and friends being able to visit her while in custody will allow her a greater chance of positive matriculation through the prison system.”
The singer and his mother allegedly “enriched themselves by falsely representing that they had executed bank wire or other monetary payment” on purchases, but never paid up. They reportedly stole roughly $1 million worth of property.
Kingston, known for hits like ‘Beautiful Girls’ and ‘Eenie Meenie’, is waiting to be sentenced and is currently out on bond.