Janice Turner, mother of singer Sean Kingston, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for her role in a $1 million wire fraud scheme. Between late 2023 and early 2024, Turner and her son were involved in defrauding multiple luxury goods vendors.
According to federal prosecutors, the two falsely claimed to have paid for high-end items including jewelry and luxury vehicles. They reportedly sent fake wire transfer receipts, but the vendors never received actual payments.
Turner, who previously served time for a 2006 bank fraud conviction, told the court she acted out of a desire to support her son’s career in the entertainment industry.
Despite her legal team’s plea for a lighter sentence due to her age and health, the judge handed down a 60-month prison term followed by three years of supervised release.
A restitution hearing is scheduled for October 2025 to determine how victims of the fraud will be compensated. Sean Kingston was also convicted in the case. He faces sentencing next month in the same Miami federal court.
The case highlights the serious consequences of financial fraud, especially in industries where image and wealth can pressure individuals to live beyond their means.
