NEW YORK, Oct 4: Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison for transporting individuals across state lines for sex, closing a high-profile trial that exposed years of abuse and misconduct by one of hip-hop’s most powerful figures. Since the 55-year-old has already served a year, he could be released in about three years, AP reported.
Prosecutors pushed for more than 11 years, while his lawyers argued he had already paid a steep personal price and should be freed immediately. Combs was convicted in July of moving women and male sex workers around the country for drug-fueled encounters but was acquitted of trafficking and racketeering charges that carried life sentences. Judge Arun Subramanian, while imposing the sentence and a $500,000 fine, told him he prolonged the abuse because he had the wealth and influence to hide it, according to AP.
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The judge also praised victims who testified, saying their courage represented many others who had suffered in silence. Combs showed little emotion as he listened, later whispering apologies to his family before being escorted out of court. His lawyers vowed to appeal, claiming the judge overstepped by acting as a “13th juror” who second-guessed the jury’s decision, AP stated.
Before sentencing, Combs broke down in tears as his defense team played a video showing his family and charitable work. He begged for another chance to be a father and community leader, while admitting his violent past was “disgusting” and would haunt him forever. Prosecutors dismissed the plea, with attorney Christy Slavik telling the court that minimizing his punishment would excuse years of violence. “His power was control, and he weaponized it against victims,” she said, Al Jazeera mentioned.
Jurors had earlier heard from Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who described being forced into sex with strangers at Combs’ command during their decade-long relationship. Video evidence showed him assaulting her in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Her lawyers said the sentencing acknowledged the trauma she endured, though it could not erase it. Another woman, “Jane,” told jurors she was coerced into sex with male workers during drug binges while Combs filmed. Defense attorneys argued that prosecutors were criminalizing consensual sexual practices, Al Jazeera quoted.
One accuser, “Mia,” had been scheduled to testify at the sentencing but pulled out after objections from the defense. In a written statement, she said Combs raped her in 2010 and pleaded for a sentence that reflected the danger he posed. Prosecutors said defense lawyers intimidated her into silence. The verdict was secured under the Mann Act, which bars moving people across state lines for sexual crimes. While Combs’ team insisted the law was misapplied, the judge and jury rejected that claim, AP reported.
