Sean 'Diddy' Combs, one of the most influential figures in the hip-hop industry, was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for transporting people across state lines for illegal sexual encounters.
Since Combs has already spent one year in jail, he could be released in about three years. Though the prosecutors sought a lengthier sentence of over 11 years, Combs's lawyers argued for his immediate release, citing his remorse and sobriety during his time in prison.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs' family left a New York City court after the hip-hop mogul was sentenced to more than four years in prison over his conviction on prostitution-related charges https://t.co/c8mVyVXMuf pic.twitter.com/hC9kHJRlkq
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 3, 2025
In July this year, Combs was found guilty of transporting his girlfriends and male sex workers across the country for drug-fuelled sexual encounters, in several locations over many years. Importantly, he was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering, which are more serious charges that could have resulted in a life sentence.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian asked Combs during sentencing, "Why did this go on for so long?", and answered his own question saying, "because you had the power and the resources to keep it going, and because you weren't caught."
Judge Subramanian also ordered Combs to pay a $500,000 fine, which is the highest amount allowed. He praised the victims who testified in court, and said they spoke for "countless others who experienced abuse".
"You gave them a voice. You stood up to power," he said.
As the judge spoke, Combs sat at the defence table, quiet and looking downcast. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he told his family just before leaving the courtroom.
Combs's legal team announced it will appeal the sentence.
After leaving court, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo told reporters, "What we feel today is that the judge acted as a 13th juror, one we did not choose, and that he second guessed the jury's verdict."
Before his sentence was announced, Combs’s lawyers showed a video highlighting his family life, career, and charitable work. He cried and then pleaded for a lighter sentence. "I ask your honour for a chance to be a father again... a son again... a leader in my community again... for a chance to get the help that I desperately need to be a better person." He apologised to those he hurt "physically and mentally with his disgusting, shameful actions". He also said the domestic violence would be a "burden he would carry for the rest of his life".
During his trial, which lasted nearly two months in a Manhattan federal court, several women testified, accusing Combs of assault, threats, sexual assault, and blackmail. Prosecutor Christy Slavik emphasised that a light sentence would excuse years of violence, describing the case as being about a man who committed "horrible things to real people to satisfy his own sexual gratification," using control as his "currency".
Combs's conviction came under the Mann Act, which prohibits moving people across state lines for sexual crimes. However, his defence attorney, Jason Driscoll, argued on Friday that this law was not correctly applied in Combs's case.
During the trial, his former girlfriend, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, told the jury that Combs made her have "disgusting sex with strangers" hundreds of times over their 10-year relationship. Jurors were also shown a video, which showed Combs dragging and beating her in a Los Angeles hotel hallway.
Six of Combs's seven children spoke to the judge and pleaded for leniency for their father. His daughter, D'Lila Combs, expressed her fear of losing her father, especially after her mother, Kim Porter, passed away in 2018.
