Singer Sean Kingston has been sentenced to 42 months (3.5 years) in a U.S. federal prison following his conviction in a wire fraud case. The sentence was handed down on Friday, August 15, in a Florida courtroom, months after Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were found guilty of defrauding businesses of over $1 million.
Kingston had faced up to six years behind bars. His defense team had requested a sentence of two to two-and-a-half years, citing his previously clean record and history of community service. Federal prosecutors, however, sought a term closer to the statutory maximum. The judge ultimately settled on a mid-range sentence.
Kingston’s mother, Janice Turner, was sentenced to five years in prison earlier in March for her role in the scheme.
Court documents revealed that the pair falsely claimed to have made payments for luxury goods—including high-end jewelry and vehicles—but failed to complete the transactions while keeping the items.
In addition to his prison sentence, Kingston has been ordered to repay his victims. His attorneys had proposed home confinement to allow him to earn money through his music, with proceeds directed toward restitution, but that request was denied.
Upon release, Kingston will be subject to supervised conditions, including mandatory drug testing, employment requirements of at least 30 hours per week, and random home visits by a probation officer. He must also submit a DNA sample.
Kingston is scheduled to return to court on October 16 for a restitution hearing.
