Diddy Sentenced to Just Over 4 Years, With Time Served

Sean "Diddy" Combs was convicted in July on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution under the Mann Act. He was acquitted of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges. The sentencing hearing now underway will determine the amount of time he serves in federal prison.​

 

Sentencing Guidelines

 

The advisory sentencing guidelines set the baseline for Combs’ punishment at 70 to 87 months, or just under 6 years to just over 7 years. Judge Subramanian said he sees no basis for going below that range, effectively ruling out the defense’s request for leniency beneath the guideline floor. However, he has not ruled out going higher, noting that federal law requires a sentence that is “sufficient but not greater than necessary.”

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Aggravating Factors

 

The judge has identified several aggravating factors that could increase the sentence beyond the guideline ceiling:

 

• Victim status: He ruled that Cassie Ventura, a woman referred to as “Jane,” and paid male escorts can all be recognized as victims.

• Coercion and threats: He said he will apply an enhancement for coercion, citing evidence that Combs used intimidation and the threat of releasing explicit videos.

• Violence: He said he can consider evidence of physical abuse, including the 2016 hotel hallway assault video.

• Acquitted conduct: Subramanian allowed conduct proven at trial, even on charges that resulted in acquittal, to be factored into sentencing.

• Remorse: He stated that Combs’ continued denial of guilt shows he has not fully accepted responsibility.

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Prosecution’s Position

 

Prosecutors are urging the judge to impose a sentence of 135 months, more than 11 years. They argue that while the conviction is for prostitution-related offenses, the underlying conduct involved abuse, coercion, violence, and lasting harm to victims, warranting a penalty far above the guideline range.

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Defense’s Position

 

The defense argues that Combs should receive no more than 14 months, with credit for time he has already served in custody. They point to his lack of a prior criminal record, his behavior and rehabilitation efforts while detained, and his personal background as reasons for leniency. They also continue to dispute the prosecution’s characterization of the encounters as coercive.

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Judge's Decision 

Sean Combs was sentenced to 50 months in prison, with credit for time served, fined $500,000, and ordered to serve five years of supervised release after Judge Arun Subramanian cited coercion, threats, and violence as factors in the case.