Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison by a New York federal judge, following his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The sentence, handed down on Friday, falls short of the 11 years and three months sought by federal prosecutors but exceeds the 14 months requested by his defence.
The 55-year-old music mogul was acquitted in July of more serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, which could have carried a life sentence. The jury found him guilty on the prostitution-related counts under the federal Mann Act, each carrying a maximum of 10 years. Combs has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest in September 2024, and the 13 months already served will count toward his 50-month term, leaving approximately three more years to serve.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Arun Subramanian ordered Combs to pay a $500,000 fine and imposed five years of supervised release following his incarceration. Prosecutors had described Combs as “unrepentant” and cited “years of abuse and violence” in their push for a longer sentence. The US probation department had recommended a term of five to seven years.
Before sentencing, Combs addressed the court, apologising to his former girlfriends, family, “all the victims of domestic violence” and his community. He called his conduct “disgusting, shameful and sick” and said, “No matter what anybody says, I know that I’m truly sorry for it all.” He urged the judge to consider “making an example of what a person can do if they get another chance.”
The trial, which began on 12 May, heard testimony from more than 30 witnesses, including former girlfriends Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman identified as “Jane”. They described drug-fueled sexual encounters called “freak-offs” that Combs allegedly orchestrated. Ventura testified about physical, sexual and emotional abuse during their 11-year relationship, and jurors were shown 2016 hotel surveillance footage of Combs attacking her. Combs did not testify in his own defence.
