The prominent United States music mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs, has been sentenced to 50 months in federal prison for transporting women across state lines for prostitution, in violation of the Mann Act.
The verdict was handed down on Thursday by Judge Arun Subramanian, who also imposed a $500,000 fine.
The sentencing follows the conclusion of a nearly two-year investigation under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
While Combs was not convicted of racketeering or sex crimes, the court found him guilty of the Mann Act violation.
Federal prosecutors had initially pushed for a sentence exceeding 11 years, but the court ultimately issued a prison term just over four years.
“That is the height of hubris,” said prosecutor Christy Slavik, referencing Combs’ scheduled public appearances in Miami shortly after submitting a plea for leniency.
In a statement issued the day before sentencing, Combs appealed to the court for compassion.
“I want to apologize and say how sincerely sorry I am for all of the hurt and pain that I have caused,” he wrote, expressing a desire for “another chance to be a better father, son, and leader.”
The legal case against Combs began in November 2023, following a civil lawsuit filed by his former girlfriend, Cassie, who accused him of rape and abuse. Although the suit was swiftly settled, it prompted a wave of additional allegations and led to federal raids on Combs’ properties. He was arrested in September 2024 and stood trial in May 2025.
During the trial, Cassie provided testimony detailing years of abuse and instances of being coerced into participating in sex parties, described in court as “freak-offs.” Rapper Kid Cudi also testified, claiming that Combs had acted abusively and alleging that his Porsche was firebombed after he became involved with Cassie—an incident he said Combs had previously threatened.
Defense attorneys for Combs argued that the case centered on consensual sexual relationships and asserted that he was being unjustly punished. However, prosecutors maintained that Combs was the orchestrator of a criminal enterprise that operated over two decades. A last-ditch effort by his legal team to overturn the conviction was denied just two days before sentencing.
