Sean 'Diddy' Combs sentenced to over four years in prison for prostitution-related charges

Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.

3 oct 2025 - 21:19 • 3 min read

A New York federal judge on Friday sentenced music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs to four years and two months in prison following his conviction on federal prostitution-related charges. The sentence was handed down in Manhattan.

Combs, 55, was found guilty in July by a federal jury on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The jury had acquitted him of more serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, which carried potential life sentences.

Each of the two counts for which Combs was convicted carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September 2024. The 13 months he has already served will count toward his sentence, meaning he has approximately three years left to serve.

In addition to the prison sentence, Combs was ordered to pay a $500,000 fine. The judge, Arun Subramanian, stated that a substantial sentence was necessary to send a message to both abusers and victims that abuse against women will be met with accountability.

During the sentencing hearing, several of Combs's children spoke, pleading with the judge for a second chance for their father. His eldest son, Justin Combs, described his father as a "superhero" who had changed significantly since his arrest and still had much to offer the world.

Combs himself addressed the court before learning his sentence, apologizing for his behavior, which he called "disgusting" and "shameful." He acknowledged taking full responsibility for his past wrongs and expressed remorse for the pain he caused.

Federal prosecutors had sought a significantly longer sentence for Combs, recommending at least 135 months (11 years and three months) and a $500,000 fine. They described him as "unrepentant" and noted that his history and characteristics demonstrated years of abuse and violence.

Combs's defense team had argued for a sentence of no more than 14 months, which, considering time already served, would have allowed for his release by the end of the year. They cited his opioid addiction as a contributing factor to his behavior.

The trial, which began in May 2025, centered on allegations that Combs used his power, fame, and wealth to coerce two former girlfriends into participating in sexual acts with male escorts. Prosecutors presented testimony from over 30 witnesses, including the former girlfriends, former employees, male escorts, and law enforcement agents.

One of the former girlfriends, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, testified about experiencing physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as blackmail. The jury was shown surveillance footage of Combs attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016.

Combs's legal team acknowledged past instances of domestic violence but maintained that all sexual activity was consensual, characterizing it as part of a "swingers lifestyle" and denying coercion or sex trafficking.

Since the jury's verdict, Judge Subramanian had denied two bail requests from Combs's legal team and rejected a motion to overturn the convictions.

Combs is also facing more than 50 civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and other misconduct, all of which he has denied.