Sean “Diddy” Combs is heading to prison.
He’s been sentenced to four years and two months behind bars after being convicted on federal prostitution-related charges.
Just months ago, a New York jury cleared the Bad Boy mogul of sex trafficking and racketeering (charges that could’ve meant life in prison). But they still found him guilty of transporting women across state lines for prostitution, involving ex-girlfriends Cassandra Ventura and another woman identified only as “Jane”.
On Friday (Oct 3), Judge Arun Subramanian didn’t hold back. He told Combs his abuse of power “warranted” a 50-month sentence and a $500,000 fine, saying he had “abused the women you professed to love, physically, emotionally and psychologically.”
Combs, who’s been locked up at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since last September, has already served 13 months (meaning roughly three more years behind bars before he’s out). Five years of supervised release will follow.
In court, Diddy apologized to his exes, his family, “all victims of domestic violence,” and the community he says he let down.
“No matter what anybody says, I know that I’m truly sorry for it all,” he told the judge.
“They want you to make an example of me. I just want you to make an example of what a person can do if they get another chance.”
Ahead of sentencing, he sent the judge a four-page letter blaming past behaviour on drug addiction and saying his time in jail had “reformed” him. But prosecutors weren’t buying it. They called him “unrepentant” and pushed for an 11-year sentence, saying his actions showed “years of abuse and violence.”
The courtroom was tense. Victims spoke, the judge listened, and when it was over, Subramanian looked directly at them and said:
“We heard you. I’m proud you came forward to tell the world what really happened.”
Reports surfaced that Combs’ legal team reached out to US president Donald Trump for a potential pardon. Trump later told reporters Diddy was “half-innocent,” adding it’s “more likely a no.”
Combs will now serve out his sentence.
Honestly, I thought he’d somehow get off on the charges. Super surprised to see him remain in prison.
