Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sentenced to more than 4 years in prison over prostitution conviction

In a significant development that has sent ripples through the entertainment world, hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was recently sentenced to more than four years in prison. This conviction stems from prostitution-related charges, following a high-profile trial that concluded in Manhattan federal court.

On Friday, October 3 (US time), US District Judge Arun Subramanian announced the 50-month sentence, with Combs, 55, maintaining a stoic demeanor throughout the day-long hearing. After receiving credit for time already served since his September 16, 2024 arrest at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, it is anticipated that he could be released in less than three years.

The conviction specifically related to two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines. These escorts were involved in drug-fueled sexual performances with Combs' girlfriends, which he recorded while masturbating. While he faced a maximum of 20 years for these offenses, the jury acquitted him of the more severe charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have resulted in a life sentence.

Despite the acquittal on the gravest charges, Judge Subramanian issued a strong rebuke, emphasizing the "years of abuse" Combs subjected two former girlfriends to: rhythm and blues singer Casandra Ventura and a woman identified in court as Jane. The judge rejected the defense's attempt to portray these events as "merely intimate, consensual experiences," instead categorizing them as "subjugation" that drove both Ms. Ventura and Jane to suicidal thoughts.

Combs, who had pleaded not guilty to the charges, is set to appeal the sentence, according to his defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo, who argued that the judge "second-guessed the jury’s verdict." Addressing the court before his sentencing, Combs apologized to Ventura and Jane, stating that he had learned his lesson and affirmed, "I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again."

During the hearing, prosecutors pushed for a sentence of at least 11 and a quarter years, with Christy Slavik arguing that to not consider Combs' abuse of his girlfriends "would be to let the defendant get away with years of domestic violence and abuse." In contrast, Combs’ lawyers advocated for a 14-month sentence. Adding a poignant dimension, Combs' children pleaded for leniency, expressing their need for their father despite his mistakes, a moment that visibly moved Combs to tears.

The judge acknowledged Combs' extensive charitable acts, including his role as the founder of Bad Boy Records and his philanthropic endeavors like running the New York Marathon for charity, as mitigating factors in his sentencing decision. The hearing concluded with Judge Subramanian thanking Ventura and Jane for their courage, expressing hope that their testimony would inspire other women to report sexual abuse. Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura, commented that while "nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs," the sentence does recognize the impact of his serious offenses.