By NEW YORK, Oct 3 (AfrikTimes) – Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced on Friday to more than four years in prison after being convicted on prostitution-related charges, with a federal judge condemning him for subjecting two former girlfriends to years of abuse.
Combs, 55, was stoic as U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian announced the 50-month sentence at the end of a day-long hearing in Manhattan federal court. He could be released in less than three years after receiving credit for the time he has already spent locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his September 16, 2024 arrest.
The Bad Boy Records founder had faced a maximum possible sentence of 20 years behind bars over his conviction in July on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances with Combs’ girlfriends while he recorded video and masturbated.
Sean “Diddy” Combs becomes emotional as his children go to the podium to make impact statements during a court sentencing, after the music mogul was convicted on charges of transporting prostitutes to engage in drug-fueled sexual performances, in New York City, October 3, 2025 in this courtroom sketch.
The jury acquitted him on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have earned him a life sentence.
Those charges hinged on prosecutors’ accusation that Combs used violence and threats to coerce two of his girlfriends – the rhythm and blues singer Casandra Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane – to take part in the performances, sometimes known as “Freak Offs.”
COMBS APOLOGIZES
Despite his acquittal on those charges, Subramanian said a significant sentence was justified given the harm Combs had caused Ventura and Jane.
“The court rejects the defense’s attempt to characterize what happened here as merely intimate, consensual experiences, or just a sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll story,” Subramanian said. “This was subjugation, and it drove both Ms. Ventura and Jane to thoughts of ending their lives.”
Combs pleaded not guilty and is expected to appeal his conviction. In addressing the court before Subramanian imposed the sentence, Combs apologized to Ventura and Jane and said he had learned his lesson.
“I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again,” said Combs, who is widely credited with elevating hip-hop’s stature in American culture.
The New York-born entrepreneur is one of the most prominent men in the entertainment industry to have faced trial on sex crimes charges.
Marc Agnifilo, lawyer for rapper and music producer Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, speaking to the press after a September 2024 hearing in New York City.
“While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed,” Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura, said in a statement.
COMBS’ CHILDREN URGE LENIENCY
During the sentencing hearing, Combs’ lawyers admitted that he had physically abused his former girlfriends but insisted the women voluntarily participated in the sexual performances. They argued that a 14-month sentence would have been more appropriate, while prosecutors pressed for a punishment of at least 11¼ years.
Prosecutor Christy Slavik told the court that Combs’ pattern of abuse must be weighed heavily.
“To not account for it now would be to let the defendant get away with years of domestic violence and abuse,” Slavik said.
Before Combs addressed the court, his children pleaded with Judge Subramanian for mercy, describing the ways their father had changed since his arrest.
Scene outside Manhattan federal court as the verdict was announced in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex-trafficking and racketeering trial on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
“We aren’t here to excuse any of his mistakes,” Combs’ 18-year-old daughter Jessie Combs said through tears. “But your honor, he is still our dad, and we still need him present in our lives.”
Combs put his head down as his children spoke, and had tears in his eyes when their remarks concluded. Combs’ lawyers also showed the court a video about his background and philanthropy. The video showed Combs playing with his children, speaking to public school students, and running in the New York Marathon to raise money for charity.
Judge Subramanian acknowledged Combs’ charitable acts as mitigating factors, though he maintained that the harm caused to Casandra Ventura and “Jane” carried far greater weight. In closing remarks, he thanked both women for their testimony and said their courage could inspire other survivors to come forward.
“The number of people who you reached is incalculable,” Subramanian said.
