Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to more than four years in prison following his conviction on prostitution-related charges. The decision was handed down by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court on Friday.
The 55-year-old artist showed little emotion as the judge delivered a 50-month sentence after a day-long hearing. According to court records, Sean “Diddy” Combs could be released in less than three years, given credit for time already served at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September 2024.
The music producer and entrepreneur was found guilty in July on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to cross state lines for drug-fueled sexual encounters with his girlfriends. Prosecutors said he recorded the acts while engaging in inappropriate behavior himself.
However, the jury acquitted Sean “Diddy” Combs on more severe charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have led to a life sentence. These charges were based on accusations that he used violence and threats to coerce his girlfriends — singer Casandra Ventura and another woman known as Jane — into participating in the acts, often referred to as “Freak Offs.”
Despite the acquittal, Judge Subramanian emphasized the serious harm caused to the victims, rejecting the defense’s argument that the events were consensual. “This was subjugation,” the judge said, adding that the victims suffered long-term trauma.
Before sentencing, Sean “Diddy” Combs apologized to both women, expressing remorse and stating, “I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again.” His children pleaded for leniency, highlighting his efforts to become a better person since his arrest.
Defense lawyers requested a reduced sentence of 14 months, while prosecutors sought more than 11 years. Subramanian noted Combs’ philanthropic contributions but maintained that a significant sentence was necessary to reflect the seriousness of his crimes.
Attorney Douglas Wigdor, representing Ventura, said the punishment recognized the lasting damage caused by the music icon’s actions. The case marks one of the most high-profile convictions of a major entertainment figure on sex-related offenses in recent years.
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