Things did not start well for Sean 'Diddy' Combs during his sentencing hearing after a jury convicted him in July on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Almost 7 hours later, he was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison on October 3 in U.S. District Court in Manhattan after being convicted on two counts of transporting women across state lines for prostitution. The sentencing hearing concluded a closely watched federal case involving allegations of abuse, coercion, and manipulation over several years.
Judge Arun Subramanian imposed the sentence after reviewing statements from both sides. In addition to prison time, Combs was ordered to pay a $500,000 fine and serve five years of supervised release. The sentence followed federal guidelines, though prosecutors had asked for slightly more time and the defense had requested significantly less.
Before the sentence was announced, six of Combs' children spoke directly to the court. The twins refered to the pain of losing their mother, Kim Porter, and asked for leniency for their father. They were permitted to deliver statements during the hearing, a common practice in federal sentencing proceedings. They expressed support for their father and asked the judge to consider the role he plays in their lives. Judge Subramanian acknowledged their words and thanked them for participating.
Their statements were part of the record but did not override the court's findings or sentencing guidelines. The defense did not request that the children speak privately to the judge, and all statements were made in court. The prosecution raised no objections.
Combs himself addressed the court briefly and submitted a letter in advance of sentencing. In the letter, dated October 2 and filed with the court, he admitted to years of excess and selfishness. He said that he had lost direction and expressed remorse for his actions, including the 2016 assault on Cassie Ventura captured in hotel surveillance footage.
"The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily," he wrote. "I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved."
Combs added that he was ashamed and said he had failed to live up to the standard he would demand of others.
"My domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry," he wrote.
Ventura did not attend the sentencing. Through her attorneys, she said she remained focused on healing and chose not to be present to avoid further trauma. Earlier in the case, she had submitted a letter to the court asking that Combs remain in custody, citing ongoing safety concerns. Her attorneys released a statement following the sentencing, saying the decision "recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed."
Judge Subramanian cited Ventura by name during the hearing. He acknowledged her contribution to the case and the courage it took to testify.
"To Ms. Ventura and the other brave survivors that came forward, I want to say first, we heard you," the judge said. "I know your families are proud of you. I am proud of you for coming to the court to tell the world what really happened."
No victims addressed the court in person at sentencing. Prosecutors confirmed that one woman, known publicly as "Mia," had planned to speak but later declined. According to statements made in court, she was discouraged by a letter from Combs' legal team disputing her credibility. Instead, she submitted a written impact statement, which the judge confirmed he had reviewed along with all other materials submitted before the hearing.
Combs will remain in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until the Bureau of Prisons determines his final placement. He is eligible for credit for time served and may qualify for early release based on behavior and federal sentencing rules.
The court made no special accommodations based on Combs' public profile. Judge Subramanian concluded by saying that the sentence reflected the seriousness of the conduct and the court's obligation to apply the law without bias.
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