Jury members were selected in the trial against singer Sean Kingston, who is accused in a $1 million fraud scheme. NBC6’s Cherney Amhara reports
South Florida singer Sean Kingston was in Broward County federal court Monday for the first day of his trial after he was allegedly involved in what authorities said was a $1 million fraud scheme.
The 34-year-old Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and his mother, 61-year-old Janice Turner, were charged by a grand jury with five counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Watch NBC6 free wherever you are
WATCH HEREBoth defendants were present Monday in court before jury selection began. Turner requested to change counsel because she could not get along with her previous counsel.
There were 45 prospective jurors, which was pared down to nine women and four men – 12 jurors and one alternate.
Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.
SIGN UP
Kingston and his mother walked out of court without offering comment. Turner held a Bible in her arm and after getting into a black SUV, Kingston rolled down the window to say: "All my fans that supported, I love you guys."
Kingston was arrested in California back in May of 2024, the same day Turner was arrested during a raid on the Southwest Ranches mansion where the singer lives.
Local
Arrest warrants said that from October 2023 to March of this year, Kingston, Turner and others defrauded multiple businesses, including a jeweler, a luxury furniture maker, a high-end auto dealer and a company that specializes in TV and entertainment systems.
Prosecutors said they purchased the items using fraudulent documents including bank wires and payment transfers, then kept or tried to keep the items despite not paying.
In one instance, Kingston allegedly fraudulently obtained a bed valued at more than $86,000 from a company named Maree, whose website said it "designs and creates the world's largest luxury beds."
In another, a Cadillac Escalade valued at $159,701.49 was fraudulently obtained from an exotic car dealership, the warrants said.
Also fraudulently obtained was jewelry valued at $480,000, the warrants said.
The total value of the items obtained exceeded $1 million, prosecutors said.
Kingston had some major hits including his 2007 debut single "Beautiful Girls." He's previously collaborated with Justin Bieber and Soulja Boy.
