Rapper Sean Kingston arrested in Florida on $1 million fraud charges

Jamaican-American rapper Sean Kingston, 34, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was booked into Broward County Jail on Sunday, May 29th, 2023. He faces charges exceeding $1 million in fraud alongside his mother, Janice Turner, 61.

Turner was arrested on May 23rd during a SWAT team raid on Kingston's mansion near Fort Lauderdale. Kingston was arrested on the same date at his performance location, Fort Irwin, a military base in California. Both are accused of participating in an "organized scheme to defraud," according to Broward County Sheriff's Office booking records. Additional charges include grand theft, identity theft, and related offenses.

Arrest warrants allege Kingston and Turner stole nearly $500,000 worth of jewelry, over $200,000 from Bank of America, a Cadillac Escalade valued at nearly $160,000, over $100,000 from First Republic Bank, and $86,000 from a custom bed manufacturer.

Kingston's bond is set at $100,000. Prior to his arrest, Kingston posted on Instagram, stating, "People love negative energy! I am good and so is my mother!… my lawyers are handling everything as we speak" 

Court records show Kingston was previously on probation for trafficking stolen goods. He is also facing a lawsuit alleging he defrauded a company by entering a contract for a $150,000 entertainment system and promising promotional appearances with Justin Bieber in exchange for a lower down payment 

Kingston's attorney, Robert Rosenblatt, expressed confidence in reaching a successful resolution for the charges. Both Kingston and Turner were scheduled for a court appearance on Monday, May 30th, 2023.