Sean Kingston’s mom has been sentenced to 5 years in jail and three years on probation after being convicted alongside together with her son of wire fraud over a scheme to steal greater than $1 million in high-end vehicles, jewellery and different luxurious items.
Janice Turner, 63, obtained the sentence from Decide David S. Leibowitz throughout a listening to in Miami federal courtroom Wednesday, in response to federal courtroom data. A listening to on restitution is about for October.
On the listening to, Turner apologized to the choose for her conduct, in response to Miami’s local CBS affiliate: “I’m sorry. My intention was to maintain my son afloat on this tough trade. They used him and abused him. I’m begging for mercy for me and my son.”
Kingston, finest identified for his chart-topping 2007 hit “Lovely Women,” was convicted in March alongside together with his mom of defrauding luxurious items distributors of greater than $1 million in merchandise, together with a Cadillac Escalade and a large LED tv.
Prosecutors say the duo exploited his superstar standing to persuade distributors to ship items with out instant cost, both by “promising to position his victims and their merchandise in social media promos” or by “name-dropping high-profile celebrities as potential referral purchasers.” When cost was due, Kingston or Turner would textual content them faux wire switch receipts, falsely suggesting that the cash had been despatched.
Following a trial in March, it took jurors lower than 4 hours of deliberation to convict the pair of 1 depend of wire fraud conspiracy and 4 counts of wire fraud.
In courtroom filings final week, Turner’s attorneys pleaded for a lenient sentence, citing well being points and “minimal prison historical past.” They requested the choose for under 30 months — far lower than the 63 to 78 months advisable by sentencing tips.
“Ms. Turner will go to jail; she has earned the jail sentence,” her attorneys write, including emphasis of their submitting. “Nevertheless, a sentence higher than thirty months is a waste of taxpayer sources primarily based upon the historical past and traits of Ms. Turner.”
Wednesday’s sentence – 60 months – got here nearer to the rules than to Turner’s request. Kingston’s sentencing listening to is scheduled for Aug. 15.