Sean "Diddy" Combs has been sentenced to 50 months in federal prison following his conviction on prostitution-related charges. The sentencing, handed down by a New York federal judge, follows a high-profile trial that concluded in July. While Combs was acquitted on the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, the jury found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The charges stemmed from the Mann Act, which criminalizes the transportation of individuals across state lines for prostitution. The jury determined that Combs arranged interstate travel for commercial sex workers, including his former girlfriend, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, and another woman, with the intent that they engage in prostitution.
Combs, 55, pleaded not guilty to all charges. Since his arrest in September 2024, he has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, and the 13 months he already spent in custody will count toward his 50-month sentence. This leaves him with approximately three more years to serve. In addition to the prison sentence, Combs was ordered to pay a $500,000 fine and will be subject to five years of supervised release after his release from prison.
Federal prosecutors had sought a significantly longer sentence of 11 years and three months, arguing that Combs was "unrepentant" and that his history demonstrated years of abuse and violence. Combs's legal team, on the other hand, requested a sentence of no more than 14 months, which would have allowed him to be released before the end of the year, considering time served. The US probation department recommended a sentence of five to seven years.
During the sentencing hearing, which lasted nearly six hours, Combs addressed the court, expressing remorse for his actions. He apologized to his former girlfriends, his family, "all the victims of domestic violence," and his community, characterizing his behavior as "disgusting," "shameful," and "sick". Prior to the sentencing, Combs made a last-ditch effort to plead for mercy, sending a letter to the judge requesting leniency. His ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, also penned a letter, asking the judge to deliver a sentence that reflects her experience as a victim.
The trial included testimony from more than 30 witnesses, including Combs's former girlfriends, former employees and assistants, male escorts, hotel staff, law enforcement agents, and public figures. Combs himself did not testify. After 13 hours of deliberation, the jury reached a mixed verdict, acquitting Combs of the racketeering and sex trafficking charges but finding him guilty on the prostitution-related counts.
Following the sentencing, legal experts suggested that Combs's defense team could file an appeal for his conviction, his sentence, or both. An appeal could take approximately six to eight months for a judge to make a decision. The court will also need to determine which prison Combs will serve his sentence in.
