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Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced on Friday to four years and two months in prison following his conviction for transporting individuals across state lines for drug-fueled sexual encounters. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul was also fined $500,000 as part of the federal sentencing.
The conclusion of the sentencing hearing marked the end of a high-profile case that revealed disturbing details of abuse and exploitation, shaking the music industry and casting a long shadow over one of its most famous figures. Diddy has already served one year in jail and is expected to serve roughly three more years behind bars.
During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from several women who accused Diddy of physical violence, sexual assault, blackmail, and coercion over many years and across multiple locations. The court heard allegations of Diddy flying girlfriends and male sex workers around the country to participate in these encounters. Despite the severity of the charges, he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering, which could have resulted in a life sentence.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian questioned the length of Diddy’s misconduct, noting, “Why did it happen so long? Because you had the power and the resources to keep it going, and because you weren’t caught.”
Throughout the sentencing, Diddy appeared emotionless, sitting quietly and avoiding eye contact as the judge delivered the sentence. However, in a final statement, he expressed remorse for his actions, calling his behavior “disgusting” and “shameful,” and apologizing to those he had hurt. He acknowledged the lasting impact of his acts of domestic violence and said it would be a burden he carries for life.
Diddy’s defense team highlighted his philanthropic work and career achievements in an 11-minute video played during the hearing. At one point, Diddy was seen breaking down in tears.
The trial featured powerful testimonies, including from former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who described being forced to engage in degrading sexual acts with strangers and recounted instances of physical abuse. Another witness, identified only as “Jane,” testified about being coerced into sex with male workers during drug-fueled hotel gatherings that Combs attended and sometimes recorded.
Prosecutor Christy Slavik emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “It’s a case about a man who did horrible things to real people to satisfy his own sexual gratification. He didn’t need the money. His currency was control.” The charges were brought under the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting people across state lines for prostitution, though defense lawyers argued the law was wrongly applied.
A final witness, a former assistant known as “Mia,” who accused Diddy of rape in 2010 and had sought to testify at the sentencing, withdrew after objections from the defense. She had urged the judge to impose a sentence that reflected “the ongoing danger my abuser poses.”
