FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Janice Turner, the mother of singer Sean Kingston, appeared in bond court following her and her son’s recent arrest.
During the court appearance, several conditions were set for Turner’s release. The bond must be fully collateralized and a judge must approve the source of the funds to ensure they were not obtained illegally, under a legal stipulation known as a Nebbia requirement. This measure is intended to prevent use of criminal proceeds to secure release from custody.
“She doesn’t pose a threat to the community,” said Turner’s attorney. “I believe that the bond as currently stated is a little excessive. I would ask the court to reconsider.”
Turner is facing eight counts of theft and fraud.
“You are charged with count one of organized scheme to defraud,” said a judge. “I do find probable cause.”
Turner will not be released until these conditions are met and approved by the court. Turner is being held on a $160,000 bond.
Meanwhile, Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Paul Anderson, was taken into custody without incident in Fort Irwin, California Thursday evening on an arrest warrant from Broward Sheriff’s Office for numerous fraud and theft charges, authorities said. Hours earlier, deputies raided his rented Southwest Ranches home with a search warrant and arrested his mother.
Their arrests come months after the company, Ver Ver Entertainment, filed a lawsuit against Kingston claiming the celebrity never paid for a $150,000 entertainment system. Employees with the entertainment company were at the house on Thursday to take down the equipment.
“The reason for the felony and probation right now for trafficking and stolen property,” said Attorney Dennis Card representing Ver Ver Entertainment. “He’s got judgments against him.”
Card said that Kingston only put $30,000 down for the entertainment system but didn’t make any more payments.
“He lures people using his celebrity into having them release things without paying for them and he simply never pays,” he said.
BSO believes Kingston’s mother is involved.
7Skyforce hovered above the Southwest Ranches property as deputies went in and out of the house. An $80,000 bed and $160,000 Cadillac were removed after he reportedly didn’t pay for them.
“They basically taking everything out the house,” said Card.
The Jamaican-American singer posted a message on his Instagram Story: “People love negative energy! I am good and so is my mother! My lawyers are handling everything as we speak.”
Both Kingston and Turner are convicted felons. In 2005 Turner received a federal conviction for bank fraud, where she was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison.
Kingston is being held without bond in San Bernadino County, California. Authorities in Broward County will need to transport him back to Florida.
In Turner’s hearing, the judge also asked the 61-year-old mother to surrender her passport and stated that she couldn’t possess any firearms, weapons or ammunition.
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