CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses sexual abuse.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to serve just over four years behind bars following his conviction on federal charges of transporting individuals for prostitution.
U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian sentenced the 55-year-old to 50 months in prison, fined him $500,000 (around AUD756,887), and ordered five years of supervised release after his time served in custody. The sentence accounts for the year he has already spent behind bars since his arrest in September 2024.
During the hearing, Judge Subramanian addressed Combs directly, referencing the letter the music mogul wrote to the court. “Being a champion and uplifting black and brown communities — that’s what you set out to do at the beginning of your career decades ago,” Subramanian said.
“Your letter said you lost your way but there’s a true path to redemption here: What went wrong and what can be made right. I’m counting on you to make the most of that second chance.”
During the trial, the allegations of abuse and misconduct from Cassie Ventura, who testified in court, and an unnamed Jane Doe were front and centre. Both described years of trauma and psychological abuse, and the judge made clear the impact their testimony had on the proceedings calling them “brave survivors”.
“Jane and Cassie Ventura have been through abuse and trauma we couldn’t imagine. I can only say your families are proud of you and your children will be proud of you for coming to the court to tell you what really happened,” Subramanian said.
“You weren’t just talking to the jury, you were talking to the women who feel powerless.”
Cassie Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, also spoke after the sentencing. “While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognises the impact of the serious offenses he committed. We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing, knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many.”
Combs’ legal team maintained his innocence throughout the trial, but the jury delivered a guilty verdict on two counts of prostitution-related charges, which each carried a maximum sentence of ten years. Prosecutors had pushed for more than eleven years, while the defence argued for a reduced term that would have meant time served. In the end, the judge sided with the prosecution’s argument regarding the seriousness of the offences but imposed a 50-month sentence.
Combs was arrested in September 2024 after a grand jury indictment in New York and remained in custody for the year leading up to his sentencing, as multiple requests for bail were denied. Following the guilty verdict, his lawyer Marc Agnifilo described Combs as “an imperfect person” but “not a criminal” and implored the public to “reserve your judgment until you have all the facts”, maintaining that “these are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court”.
With this verdict, Combs will continue serving his sentence — reduced by the time already spent in custody — with just over four years left before eligibility for release. He’ll also face five years of post-release supervision.
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