Sean Kingston is not taking his prison sentence lying down.
Just days after being sentenced to federal prison, Kingston is making it clear he’s not giving up without a fight. The 35-year-old artist, best known for his 2007 hit “Beautiful Girls,” filed a notice of appeal challenging his three-and-a-half-year sentence for wire fraud, securities fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The appeal was submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on August 28th by Kingston’s attorney, Zeljka Bozanic. The filing contests not only the August 15 sentencing, but also every pretrial and trial decision made during the case.
Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were accused of running a scheme to scam luxury vendors by using fake wire receipts and false claims of wealth. Among the items they obtained were high-end cars, pricey watches, and a massive LED television. Turner was sentenced in July to five years in prison, while Kingston received his sentence in August, followed by three years of supervised release.
During the sentencing, Bozanic described the case as “not a typical fraud,” stating most of the restitution had already been paid. She also highlighted Kingston’s remorse and past charitable efforts. The judge, however, denied any delay in detention and ordered immediate imprisonment.
With the appeal now in motion, Kingston hopes to overturn his conviction and reclaim his freedom. Full legal arguments are expected to be presented in the coming months.
