US rapper and music executive, Sean “Diddy” Combs, has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after being found guilty on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.
The sentence was delivered on Friday at a New York courthouse by Judge Arun Subramanian, who acknowledged Combs’ professional accomplishments but stressed that the court could not overlook his history of abuse.
“You abused them physically, emotionally, and psychologically,” Subramanian said, referring to Cassie Ventura and Jane Doe, two women who testified that Combs forced them into sexual encounters with male escorts for his gratification.
The judge also praised the women for their courage, calling them “strong” for coming forward to share their experiences. “We heard you. I am proud of you for coming to the court to tell what really happened,” he added.
Combs, 55, was convicted in July of arranging what he described as “freak-offs,” flying people across state lines for paid sexual encounters, including his partners and male sex workers. He was, however, acquitted of more severe charges including sex trafficking by force and racketeering conspiracy.
The rapper’s legal troubles began in September 2024, when he was arrested following allegations from more than 120 accusers, including one minor, who claimed he engaged in blackmail, abuse, kidnapping, and prostitution-related crimes.
Federal prosecutors had sought an 11-year prison term, describing Combs as “unrepentant” and a danger to his victims, while his defense argued for a 14-month sentence, equal to the time already served since his arrest.
Judge Subramanian ultimately imposed a sentence of just over four years, while encouraging Combs and his family to “find the light at the end of the tunnel” despite the severity of his crimes.
