CONCORD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 09: Sean Kingston performs during the Hot Summer Nights Tour at Concord Pavilion on July 09, 2023 in Concord, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Sean Kingston was arrested after his South Florida mansion was raided on Thursday (May 23).
According to AP News, Kingston was arrested in Fort Irwin, California, on the evening of Thursday (May 23). He was booked on various charges of fraud and theft. The incident occurred just a few hours after a SWAT team raided his rented South Florida home and left with a load of items.
Earlier that day, TMZ reported that the Broward Sheriff’s Office raided Kingston’s home in Southwest Ranches, Florida. Additionally, the publication confirmed that his mother, Janice Turner, was reportedly arrested during the raid. Turner is also facing multiple charges, including fraud and theft.
Although Kingston was not present during the raid, he was considered as another “target in the investigation.” TMZ noted that the “Beautiful Girls” musician was sued in February for allegedly not paying for a $150,000 entertainment system. Entertainment Tonight disclosed that the company behind the suit is called Ver Ver Entertainment.
TMZ added that Dennis Card, a lawyer representing the company suing the Jamaican artist, was present during the raid. The company claims to have installed a “colossal 232-inch TV” and robust sound system in Kingston’s home in December 2023. Kingston allegedly wired $30,000 to Ver Ver Entertainment, but the remaining balance was never received.
Before being arrested, Kingston didn’t hesitate to comment on the raid and update his fans on his mother. The singer shared a statement on his Instagram Story.
“People love negative energy! I am good and so is my mother!.. my lawyers are handling everything as we speak,” Kingston wrote.
Hours after his comment, things took a turn for the worse, as both Kingston and his mother are currently being held in custody. According to CNN, arrest warrants were issued for Kingston and his mother on May 20. The warrants accuse the pair of defrauding “several businesses” out of thousands of dollars, including a jeweler and car dealership.
Additionally, the pair are reportedly accused of “identity fraud and writing bad checks.”
According to AP News, Kingston’s mother previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud in 2006 and served about a year and a half in prison. Furthermore, the outlet notes that Kingston is currently on two-year probation for trafficking stolen property.
The outlet adds that he will be “held in California pending extradition to Florida.”
