A federal judge sentenced Sean “Diddy” Combs to 50 months in prison on prostitution-related charges. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian also fined him $500,000 and ordered five years of supervised release at a hearing in Manhattan federal court on Friday.
Combs, 55, had faced up to 20 years behind bars.
The disgraced artist was arrested by federal agents on September 16 last year and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has, however, maintained his innocence.
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On July 2, a jury convicted Combs of two counts of Mann Act violations for transporting male escorts and former girlfriends Cassie Ventura and “Jane” for sex. He was also facing life in prison if convicted of the more grievous sex trafficking and racketeering charges, but he was ultimately acquitted by the jury.
Despite his acquittal, Judge Subramanian, on July 2, ruled that Combs remain in custody ahead of his sentencing. On Monday, September 22, Combs’ attorneys asked the judge to sentence him to no more than 14 months, and that should include his time served behind bars.
But prosecutors, in a new court filing, urged the judge to sentence Combs to “at least 135 months” in prison and also fine him $500,000
Before his sentencing, Combs apologized to Ventura and Jane.
“I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again,” he said.
The lawyer for Ventura said the sentence shows how “serious” Combs’ offenses are.
“While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed,” Douglas Wigdor said in a statement.
“We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing, knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many.”
Judge Subramanian said Combs’ victims, Ventura and Jane, are “brave survivors” who gave other women a voice, NBC News reported.
“Jane and Cassie Ventura have been through abuse and trauma we couldn’t imagine,” he said. “I can only say your families are proud of you and your children will be proud of you for coming to the court to tell you what really happened. You weren’t just talking to the jury, you were talking to the women who feel powerless.”
Combs is expected to file an appeal soon.
