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A New York federal court judge has sentenced entertainer Diddy to four years and two months following his conviction this summer on federal counts involving prostitution.

Legal Outcome

The Manhattan Friday court ruling came after a July federal jury cleared the music industry veteran aged 55 of the most serious charges against him – racketeering and trafficking charges – but found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Each count carries a up to a decade incarceration.

Combs, who has been in custody at the Brooklyn facility since his September 2024 apprehension, had pleaded not guilty to the full slate of allegations. He has gotten credit for the 13 months already spent incarcerated.

Court Submissions

Last week, his legal team petitioned the judge to limit incarceration to 14 months, which, given time already served, would enable his freedom before year's end.

The prosecution, on the other hand, sought a substantially extended incarceration, asking the court to mandate a minimum 135-month sentence (over 11 years) and a $500K financial sanction. In their submission, the prosecutors characterized him as showing no regret and said that his past and traits reveal a long pattern of abuse and violence.

Legal Proceedings Overview

Since the July jury announcement, the presiding judge Arun Subramanian has turned down two release appeals from his attorneys and also rejected a motion to set aside the guilty verdicts.

During the court proceedings, commencing on May 12, federal prosecutors accused the music label founder of using his power, fame, wealth and influence, as well as physical force, intimidation and coercion, to compel two previous romantic partners into participating in what were described as substance-enhanced sexual encounters with male escorts, referred to as “hotel nights” or “freak-offs”, which they said he arranged, observed, gratified himself to and occasionally recorded.

Prosecutors alleged that for over twenty years, Combs led a criminal enterprise – assisted by staff and accomplices – that engaged in and worked to cover up a series of illegal acts including human trafficking, abduction, compulsory work, drug distribution, arson and bribery, prostitution solicitation and justice interference.

Courtroom Accounts and Proof

The jurors received testimony from 30-plus individuals called by the government, including two previous romantic interests, multiple ex-staff members and aides, male escorts, lodging employees, police officers and public figures including rapper Kid Cudi and performer Dawn Richard and others. Combs did not testify.

And after three days of deliberations totaling 13 hours, the jury returned the mixed verdict and acquitted Combs of the racketeering and sex trafficking charges, which could have led to a life sentence, but determined he was guilty of the prostitution offenses stemming from the federal Mann Act.

Primary Evidence

Fundamental to the government's argument were the statements from the two previous companions: vocalist Cassie Ventura and a female witness using the alias “Jane”. Both women described the so-called “freak offs” in graphic detail and alleged that Combs coerced them into participating.

She told the court that during her and their decade-plus intermittent relationship, Combs subjected her to physical, sexual and emotional abuse and extortion. Jurors were repeatedly shown the 2016 hotel surveillance footage of Combs attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway.

“The witness “Jane” also stated was coerced and menaced by him into sexual activities, and also narrated a physical confrontation with him that caused swelling on her head.

Defense Arguments and Mitigating Factors

Throughout the trial, Combs's legal team conceded prior incidents of domestic violence, but disputed any forced participation or trafficking and insisted that every sexual act was agreed-upon, characterizing them as part of a “swingers lifestyle”.

In their sentencing memo, Combs's lawyers cited his opioid addiction as a component affecting his actions.

Last-Minute Pleas and Victim Statements

On Thursday, the night before his sentencing, Combs submitted a letter to the court making a request for compassion.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize and state my profound remorse for every injury and suffering that I have inflicted on others through my actions. I assume total accountability for my earlier errors,” he wrote.

“This period has been the most difficult 24 months of my life, and I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself. In my life, I have done many wrongs, but I am no longer running from them” he added. “I am so sorry for the hurt that I caused, but I understand that the mere words ‘I’m sorry’ will not suffice as these words alone cannot erase the pain from the past.”

Later in the letter, he added, “I lost my way. I got lost in my journey. Consumed by narcotics and overindulgence. My ruin was based on self-absorption. I have been modest and shattered fundamentally.”

Earlier this week, ahead of the sentencing, Ventura offered an impact account, urging the court to hand down the sentence suggested by the prosecutors.

“Even though the panel seemed to miss or doubt that I participated in those events due to compulsion and pressure the respondent applied to me, I know that is the truth, and his punishment must align with the proof and my actual suffering as a survivor” Ventura wrote.

She said that she still has “nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and persist in needing therapy to deal with my history”.

“My fears that he or his allies might target me and my family is my reality,” she wrote to the court. “I am fearful that if he gains freedom, his initial steps will be immediate revenge towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial.

Ongoing Legal Challenges

Apart from this criminal proceeding, Combs is facing more than 50 civil lawsuits charging him with sexual offenses and other improper acts. He has disputed all accusations in those proceedings.