Months after a federal jury delivered a split verdict in his high-profile sex-crimes trial, Sean “Diddy” Combs, the Grammy-winning hip-hop mogul and music executive, has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison.
On Friday, Judge Arun Subramanian handed down a 50-month prison sentence, ruling that the term was appropriate for the 55-year-old music icon. Combs has been incarcerated at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest in September 2024.
While acknowledging Combs’ recovery from past struggles with drug addiction, Subramanian emphasized that a history of philanthropic work and professional achievement cannot erase the harm caused to his former partners. “A history of good works can’t wipe away the abuse,” the judge noted during the sentencing hearing.
Combs addressed the court directly, issuing a public apology to his former partner Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine and another woman identified only as “Jane.” “I want to personally apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I caused to her, emotionally or physically. My actions were disgusting, shameful and sick,” Combs said.
Background of the Trial
Combs faced a series of serious federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. On July 2, 2025, a jury acquitted him of the most severe charges but found him guilty on a lesser count: transportation to engage in prostitution. This conviction, though less severe than the original allegations, carried significant penalties, which ultimately led to Subramanian’s ruling for a 50-month sentence.
In the weeks leading up to the sentencing, Combs’ legal team filed motions seeking either a new trial or an overturn of the conviction, which the judge denied on September 30. Combs’ attorneys argued for a 14-month sentence, citing mitigating factors such as his history of philanthropy and rehabilitation. However, the court determined that the gravity of his offenses outweighed these considerations.
Reactions from Attorneys and Victims
Attorneys Douglas Wigdor and Meredith Firetog, representing Ventura Fine, released a statement recognizing the sentence as a reflection of the severity of Combs’ actions. “Nothing can undo the trauma he caused, but this sentence recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed,” they said.
Combs’ defense attorney, Brian Steel, framed the sentencing in a personal context. “This is not about him,” Steel stated. “Even in his broken state, he has had his family on his mind the entire time.”
Sentencing Details and Prison Timeline
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Combs faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for his two counts, each carrying up to 10 years. The 50-month term marks a significant reduction from the maximum penalty, reflecting both the nature of the conviction and the court’s assessment of mitigating circumstances.
Following the sentencing hearing on October 3, Combs will be transported to a federal facility to begin serving his term. Officials expect that, accounting for good behavior and other factors, Combs’ release will occur sometime in late 2028 or early 2029.
Arrest and Detention History
Combs was arrested on September 16, 2024, in New York on sex-trafficking charges. The following day, he pleaded not guilty to all counts and was immediately taken into custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Throughout his pretrial detention, Combs’ legal team repeatedly requested bail, all of which were denied by the court. He remained behind bars for more than a year leading up to the trial and eventual sentencing.
Public and Media Attention
The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs attracted significant media coverage, given his high-profile career in music and entertainment. As the founder of Bad Boy Records and a multi-time Grammy winner, Combs’ legal troubles have generated widespread attention in both entertainment and mainstream news outlets.
While his acquittal on the most severe charges allowed Combs to avoid the maximum penalties, the conviction and subsequent prison sentence serve as a major development in the ongoing scrutiny of alleged abuses of power within the music industry.
As Combs prepares to enter federal prison, the case continues to spark discussions around accountability, celebrity privilege, and the impact of high-profile trials on both victims and the broader public.
