New York, Oct 4 (UNI) A court has sentenced American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs to 50 months, or just over four years, in prison for his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Federal District Judge Arun Subramanian announced the decision Friday, saying “a substantial sentence must be given to send a message to abusers and victims alike that abuse against women is met with real accountability.”
The judge noted that this is “hard time” away from Combs’ family, but also noting Combs will have a life after prison.
The judge said outpatient treatment and mental health programs were warranted. Subramanian also ordered Combs to serve five years of supervised release.
Combs’ lawyers had argued he should be released almost immediately, asking the judge to sentence him to no more than 14 months including
time served. Prosecutors said he should’ve faced more than 11 years in prison.
Combs was found guilty of two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution in July but was acquitted of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have led to a life sentence.
The charges Combs was convicted of — two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution — stem from the federal Mann Act, which criminalizes transporting people across state lines for prostitution.
Judge Arun Subramanian questioned Sean “Diddy” Combs’ claim that he is remorseful and won’t do it again is that Combs assaulted Jane in June 2024 even after authorities executed search warrants. The Intercontinental Hotel video was released and Combs gave a similar apology on Instagram.
“You brutally assaulted Jane,” Subramanian said reading an excerpt from Jane’s testimony about the hotel night and assault she endured in June 2024. Jane testified credibly about that altercation, the judge said.
Judge Arun Subramanian said Sean “Diddy” Combs actions were serious offenses that “irreparably harmed two women,” who still feel the effects today.
Judge Arun Subramanian said the court is “not assured” that if Sean “Diddy” Combs was released that “these crimes will not be committed again.”
He said that acts of sexual violence are unfortunately common, and “a substantial sentence must be given to send a message to abusers and victims alike that abuse against women is met with real accountability.”
However, Subramanian said, a sentence of more than 11 years, as requested by the government, “is not reasonable.”
Judge Arun Subramanian told Sean “Diddy” Combs that he abused the women a claimed to love “physically, emotionally and psychologically,” adding that he was sitting “right there” during Cassie Ventura and Jane’s testimony.
While acknowledging that Sean “Diddy” Combs is devoted to his family, the judge said he “rejects the defense’s attempt to characterize the ‘Freak Offs’ and hotel nights as intimate consensual experiences or just a ‘sex drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ story.”
“A history of good works can not erase the power and control you had over the women you professed to love dearly. You abused them physically, emotionally and psychologically and you used that to get your way,” he said.
The judge added, “I was sitting right here” during testimony from Cassie Ventura and “Jane.”
Judge Arun Subramanian said he has considered the fact that Sean “Diddy” Combs is a self-made artist and businessman who has “inspired and lifted up communities,” and noted that his work and impact are “celebrated and iconic.”
He said Combs’ successes are even more impressive given the struggles in his childhood.
The judge made it clear that Combs being sentenced for the offenses of conviction — the Mann Act charges — and not the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he was acquitted of.
Judge Arun Subramanian said what strikes him about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ claim that he is remorseful and won’t do it again is that Combs assaulted Jane in June 2024 even after authorities executed search warrants. The Intercontinental Hotel video was released and Combs gave a similar apology on Instagram.
“You brutally assaulted Jane,” Subramanian said reading an excerpt from Jane’s testimony about the hotel night and assault she endured in June 2024.
Jane testified credibly about that altercation, the judge said.
Judge Arun Subramanian said what strikes him about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ claim that he is remorseful and won’t do it again is that Combs assaulted Jane in June 2024 even after authorities executed search warrants. The Intercontinental Hotel video was released and Combs gave a similar apology on Instagram.
“You brutally assaulted Jane,” Subramanian said reading an excerpt from Jane’s testimony about the hotel night and assault she endured in June 2024. Jane testified credibly about that altercation, the judge said
Addressing the judge, Sean “Diddy” Combs said his actions “were disgusting, shameful and sick. I was sick. Sick from the drugs, I was out of control.”
Combs added that he “needed help and I didn’t get the help.”
He also begged for mercy.
“I ask your honor for mercy,” Combs said.
