Florida rapper Sean Kingston, known for hits like Beautiful Girls and Fire Burning, is facing serious legal trouble after being extradited to the Sunshine State. The 34-year-old artist, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was arrested in California in May and is now accused of committing over $1 million in fraud and theft.
After waiving his right to challenge the extradition, Kingston was booked into Broward County jail on Sunday. A judge set his bond at $100,000, listing 10 criminal charges against him including grand theft, fraud, and criminal use of personal identification. His lawyer has stated that Kingston plans to plead not guilty to all charges.
The arrest came on the same day police raided Kingston’s home in Ft Lauderdale and arrested his mother, Janice Turner, on similar charges. Allegations include the theft of money, jewelry, a Cadillac Escalade, and furniture exceeding $1 million. Kingston was already on probation for trafficking stolen property at the time of his arrest, adding a violation of probation charge to his legal troubles.
According to his lawyer, Kingston was “under coercion” when he signed the waiver for extradition, claiming there is no fraud or organised fraud involved in the case. Another separate case involves accusations that Kingston did not fully pay for a large TV and sound system, allegedly making false representations to induce the business to install the products.
Despite the legal challenges, Kingston remains optimistic, sharing a statement on his Instagram account before his arrest, assuring his followers that he and his mother are doing well and that his lawyers are handling the situation. Representatives for Kingston have been contacted for comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
