After being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution earlier this year, Sean “P Diddy” Combs is scheduled to be sentenced today in New York.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is set to be sentenced today by a federal judge in New York following his conviction earlier this year on prostitution-related charges. The disgraced music producer was convicted following a trial earlier this year.
Before the judge hears his arguments, here are everything you might need to know about the prosecution’s most recent hearings, as well as information on whether he’ll be sentenced for how long.
What crimes did he commit?
In July, following a two month trial, a jury found Combs to be not guilty of of the most serious charge, racketeering conspiracy and the sex trafficking of Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura and ‘Jane’, an unnamed woman.
Combs was found guilty of transporting people to “Janes” and Ventura for prostitution. After 13 hours of discussion, the jury delivered the verdict. Combs was seen praying in front of his chair as the verdict was overturned. Then he clapped and turned to the gallery.
Later, the judge denied Combs’ requests for bail while awaiting sentencing and claimed he showed “disregard for the rule of law and a propensity for violence.” He has been incarcerated since September 2024 as a result. Additionally, a motion to overturn the convictions was rejected by the judge.
What time will the sentence be given?
The sentencing will take place in New York at 10:00 Eastern Time, or 15:00 UK time.
How long could he serve?
He has been found guilty of two counts, each of which carry a maximum sentence of ten years. If the judge chooses to use the maximum penalty and insists that Combs be served consecutively rather than concurrently, Combs can spend up to 20 years in prison.
Combs’ attorneys requested a sentence of no more than 14 months, including the 13-month sentence he has already served. The rapper would be released before the year’s end. He was “adequately punished,” according to the attorneys, who spent 13 months in dreadful conditions.
However, federal prosecutors requested a fine of at least $135,000. That would include an additional 11 years and 3 months. They claimed that Combs’ “unrepentant” past and characteristics “denote years of abuse and violence” were true.
In his letter to the judge, what did he say?
Combs wrote his own letter to the judge just before the sentencing hearing was scheduled to begin. He apologized for “all the pain and hurt” he caused and acknowledged “past wrongs” in it.
He wrote, “First and foremost, I want to apologize and express my sincere regret for all the pain and suffering that my actions have caused others.” I accept full responsibility and accountability for my past transgressions.
Combs continued, stating that Ventura has had to deal with his life’s challenges the “hardest” the past two years. He also acknowledged that he is held accountable for “my current reality and situation entirely by myself.”
Combs also addressed Ventura-associated CCTV footage from 2016 that showed him attacking the camera. Every day, I play over and over in my head the scene and images of me assaulting Cassie.
I figuratively “lost my mind.” I had to put my hands on the woman I loved, and I was totally wrong. I apologize and will always be. I will always be burdened by my domestic violence. The regret, the disappointment, the regret, and the shame.
He also mentioned “Janes,” another of his ex-girlfriends, in his remarks. I initially believed I was helping Jane with her child, but after hearing her testimony, I realized I had hurt her, he wrote. I apologize deeply for this. I had a hard time navigating the excess and the drugs.
He continued, “The old me died in jail and was” working devotedly to “becoming the” best version of himself. He requested mercy from the judge.
I humbly request that you have another chance: a second chance at being a better father, a second chance at raising a better son, a second chance at being a better leader in my community, and a third chance to lead a better life.
What was stated in Cassie Ventura’s impact statement?
Prior to sentencing, the prosecution presented the court with a number of victim impact statements. The defendant’s statement read, “I know that the jury did not seem to understand or believe that I engaged in freak-offs because of the force and coercion that the defendant used against me,” and his sentence should reflect both the reality of the evidence and my lived experience as a victim.
“I’m so afraid that if he walks free, he’ll immediately retaliate against me and others who have been accused of his abuse,” he said. Victims and survivors will never be safe, if there is one thing I can learn from this experience. I hope your decision takes into account the details that the jury was unable to see.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
