Prosecutors argued Combs deserves at least 11 years in prison.
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for his conviction on two prostitution-related offenses.
He gets credit for time served since his arrest. Combs has already spent 12 months at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Before the judge read the sentence, Combs tearfully apologized in court, saying, "I’ve been humbled and broken to my core."
Federal prosecutors argued Combs deserved at least 11 years in prison, while Combs' lawyers asked for a sentence of no more than 14 months.
Sean Combs sat expressionless in his seat when the judge issued his sentence. His hands were clasped in his lap and he dropped his head slightly.
The judge went on to thank Cassie Ventura and “Jane” for their testimony.
“You stood up to power,” the judge said. “The number of people who you reached is incalculable.”
District Judge Arun Subramanian sentenced Sean Combs to 50 months in prison and five years of supervised release. The judge also set a fine of $500,000 – the maximum allowed under the law.
Combs has already served 12 months in prison, which he will get credit for.
The judge said the sentence was necessary to ensure deterrence and to reflect the impact on his victims.
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for his conviction on two prostitution-related offenses.
Before Judge Arun Subramanian announced Combs’ sentence, he emphasized the repeated nature of Combs’ crimes and violence towards his former partners.
He noted that even after Cassie Ventura filed his lawsuit and Combs issued an apology, the rap mogul continued to behave violently towards Jane.
Subramanian directly quoted a portion of “Jane”’s testimony about a violent evening when Combs allegedly forced her into a “freak-off” after attacking her -- an interaction that took place months before Combs was arrested in New York.
“The court is not assured that if released these crimes would not be committed again,” the judge said.
Subramanian said his sentence should hopefully send a message to other survivors of domestic abuse that “violence against women is met with real accountability.”
The judge also acknowledged Combs’s business success and impact on the Black community.
“I have considered the fact that you are a self-made artist and businessman who has inspired and lifted up communities,” the judge said. “Your work history, impact on the Black community, and entrepreneurship are celebrated and iconic.”
He also commended Combs for getting sober.
“The court also notes you have had problems with addiction,” he said. “The court understands those drugs may have exacerbated your violent behavior over the years.”
However, the judge said that “a history of good works cannot wash away the record in this case.”
“You used that abuse to get your way, especially when it came to ‘freak-offs’ and hotel nights,” he said. “This was subjugation, and it drove both Ms. Ventura and Jane into thoughts of ending their lives. That is the reality of what happened.”
“The conduct occurred over a decade with tremendous frequency across that time period,” the judge said. “You paid for and organized these acts.”
After nearly four hours of defense arguments, prosecutor Christy Slavik attempted to refocus the sentencing hearing on the crimes for which Combs was convicted.
"The defendant very clearly knew what he was doing was wrong and illegal, and he did it anyway for 15 years," Slavik said.
Slavik tried to compare the emotional video produced by the defense team to highlight Combs’ family to the grainy security camera footage showing Combs violently attacking Cassie Ventura in 2016.
"The defendant is a master manipulator of his own image," she said. "That image is incomplete and misleading."
She argued that Combs has shown "disrespect" for the law by continuing to offend and continues to avoid accountability.
"He continued committing crimes. He violated the Mann Act. He viciously assaulted Jane," she said. "Despite what he says now, he is not a changed man now. You cannot trust his words."
The court is now taking a ten-minute break. When it reconvenes, Combs is set to address the judge.
