NEW YORK — In a landmark decision today, a federal judge sentenced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to four years and two months in prison, marking a dramatic turning point in one of the most closely watched celebrity trials of the decade.
Judge Arun Subramanian delivered the sentence in Manhattan federal court, telling Combs, “This is a serious sentence that reflects the gravity of your crimes and conduct.” The 55-year-old producer and entrepreneur is expected to file an appeal immediately.
The sentencing comes months after a jury found Combs guilty on two counts of interstate transportation related to prostitution, each carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The same jury, however, acquitted him of the far more serious sex-trafficking and racketeering charges — a surprising outcome following a trial that exposed years of allegations about coercion, violence, and exploitation within Combs’ inner circle.
A Divided Verdict and a Controversial Sentence
Prosecutors had sought an 11-year sentence, arguing that Combs’ actions were part of a larger pattern of manipulation and abuse. “His fame should not shield him from accountability,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Slavik said during the hearing, calling Combs’ recent booking of public speaking events in Miami “the height of hubris.”
Combs’ defense team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, countered by requesting a 14-month suspended sentence with time served, insisting that the Bad Boy Records founder had already suffered immensely through “the destruction of his reputation” and the “harsh realities of pretrial confinement.”
Judge Subramanian rejected those arguments, having already denied motions to vacate the verdict or acquit Combs entirely. “This court believes accountability is necessary,” he said.
Cassie’s Testimony and Plea to the Court
The case originated with a 2023 civil suit filed by Combs’ former partner Cassie Ventura, whose claims of long-term abuse led to a wave of additional accusations and the eventual federal investigation. Ventura testified during the criminal trial and, in a pre-sentencing letter, urged the judge to “consider the many lives that Sean Combs has upended with his abuse and control.”
Family Appeals for Mercy
Before sentencing, Combs submitted a personal letter to the court, expressing remorse but maintaining that he was ready to face the consequences of his past:
“In my life, I have made many mistakes, but I am no longer running from them. I am so sorry for the hurt that I caused, but I understand that the mere words ‘I’m sorry’ will never be good enough… Today, I humbly ask you for another chance.”
All six of Combs’ adult children also addressed the court, pleading for leniency. His son Christian Combs called his father “my hero … my superhero,” and implored the judge to “please give my family grace.”
What’s Next
Combs’ attorneys have already signaled their intention to appeal both the verdict and the sentence, claiming procedural errors and “inflammatory testimony” during the trial.
Meanwhile, prosecutors maintain that the conviction sends a powerful message about accountability — even for the most powerful figures in entertainment.
Combs, whose career has spanned music, fashion, and media empire-building, will begin serving his sentence in a federal correctional facility to be determined in the coming weeks.