Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs, the American rapper and music mogul, has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after being found guilty on two counts of transportation for prostitution.
The 55-year-old executive received the sentence on Friday from Judge Arun Subramanian at the New York courthouse.
Before pronouncing the sentence, Subramanian acknowledged Combs’ career achievements but stressed the seriousness of his past actions.
“However, the court has to consider all of your history here,” the judge said.
Subramanian further criticised Combs over his conduct in relation to Cassie Ventura and Jane Doe, who accused him of coercing them into sex with male escorts for his gratification.
“You abused them,” the judge declared. “Physically, emotionally and psychologically…”
“I know you feel you are in a dark place right now, but the crimes committed were serious. You and your family, you are going to get through this. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The judge also commended Ventura and Jane Doe as “strong women” for bravely stepping forward to testify.
“We heard you. I am proud of you for coming to the court to tell what really happened,” Subramanian added.
Combs was convicted for arranging and financing flights across the US for sexual encounters he described as “freak-offs”, involving both his girlfriends and male sex workers.
He was arrested in September 2024 after more than 120 individuals — including a minor — accused him of kidnapping, blackmail, abuse, and prostitution-related crimes.
In July, a jury convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution linked to Ventura and Jane. However, he was acquitted of charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, as well as racketeering conspiracy.
Earlier this week, federal prosecutors had sought an 11-year sentence, labelling Combs as “unrepentant” and claiming he left his victims living in fear.
His legal team, on the other hand, argued for a 14-month sentence — equal to the time he has already spent in custody since his 2024 arrest.
For the past 14 months, Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York.