Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced Friday to 50 months in federal prison, capping a nearly two-month trial that ended in July with jurors acquitting him of the most serious charges but convicting him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
In Manhattan federal court, Combs wept as his six adult children urged U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian to show leniency, saying he had changed since his September 2024 arrest. Prosecutors had asked for more than 11 years, arguing he leveraged violence, blackmail, drugs and his music-industry clout to abuse two girlfriends for years at so-called “freak-off” parties. The defense argued for no more than 14 months, much of it already served while jailed during and after trial.
“I lost my self-respect,” Combs said in slow, halting remarks. “I hate myself right now. I’ve been stripped down to nothing.”
Prosecutors did not call their trial witnesses at the sentencing. The most prominent accuser, singer and actor Cassie Ventura, submitted a letter this week urging a lengthy term: “I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial.”
