Rapper Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison following his conviction for a $1 million fraud scheme, in which he used his fame to dupe sellers into giving him luxury items that he never paid for. Kingston’s mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, was sentenced to five years last month.

The 35-year-old, born Kisean Paul Anderson, was convicted in March alongside Turner of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. During Friday’s sentencing in South Florida, Kingston apologized to the court, claiming he had learned from his actions. Judge David Leibowitz ordered him taken into custody immediately, denying a request to self-surrender due to health issues.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton characterized Kingston as someone addicted to the celebrity lifestyle, exploiting it to defraud victims of luxury merchandise over multiple years. Anton said Kingston repeatedly bullied sellers and then refused to pay, calling him “a thief and a conman, plain and simple.”

Defense attorney Zeljka Bozanic argued Kingston lacked financial knowledge, relying on his mother and business managers, and described him as having the mentality of a teenager despite his adult age. Bozanic said Kingston had begun repaying victims and intended to make full restitution after his release.

Leibowitz acknowledged Kingston’s acceptance of responsibility and noted he avoided testifying to prevent perjury, contrasting with Turner’s obstructive trial testimony.

Kingston and Turner were arrested in May 2024 after a SWAT raid on his Fort Lauderdale mansion. Kingston was apprehended at Fort Irwin Army base in California, where he had been performing. Investigators reported that from April 2023 to March 2024, Kingston used social media to arrange purchases of items including a bulletproof Escalade, watches, and a 19-foot LED TV. Victims were often given fake wire receipts and only received payments after lawsuits or police involvement.

Kingston first rose to fame at 17 with the 2007 hit “Beautiful Girls”, followed by tracks like “Take You There” and “Fire Burning.”