Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers plan to appeal as convicted hip-hop star faces more years behind bars

**Sean “Diddy” Combs Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for Transporting People Across State Lines for Sexual Encounters**

Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs are planning to appeal after the Grammy-winning artist and music executive was sentenced Friday to more than four years in prison for transporting people across state lines for sexual encounters.

The case shattered Combs’ carefully cultivated reputation as an affable celebrity entrepreneur, A-list party host, and reality TV star. It marked a public reckoning for the 55-year-old hip-hop mogul, who made a plea for leniency and wept as his lawyers played a video portraying his family life, career, and philanthropy.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian also fined Combs $500,000, the maximum allowed by law. Combs was convicted in July of flying his girlfriends and male sex workers around the country to engage in drug-fueled sexual encounters over many years and in multiple places.

The sordid, nearly two-month federal trial in Manhattan featured harrowing testimony from women who said Combs beat, threatened, sexually assaulted, and blackmailed them. However, he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life.

### How Much Time Will Combs Serve?

Combs was sentenced to four years and two months in prison. Having already served a year in jail, he could be released in about three years. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of more than 11 years.

Combs’ lawyers argued for immediate release, stating the time behind bars has already forced his remorse and sobriety. On the eve of his sentencing, Combs wrote the judge proclaiming himself a changed man after realizing he was “broken to my core.” His legal team has confirmed they will appeal the decision.

There is no possibility of parole in the federal system. Prosecutor Christy Slavik stated that sparing Combs serious prison time would excuse years of violence. Key witnesses against Combs urged the judge to reject leniency, expressing fears for their safety if he were freed.

### Where Is Combs Serving His Sentence?

Combs was sent to a Brooklyn federal lockup a year ago after his lawyers unsuccessfully fought to keep him out of jail following his arrest. This facility is primarily used for post-arrest detention for individuals awaiting trial in federal courts in Manhattan or Brooklyn, as well as for those serving short sentences.

The lockup has been plagued by problems since its opening in the 1990s, and its conditions have been so poor in recent years that some judges have refused to send people there. Combs’ lawyers were denied his request to await trial under house arrest at his Miami Beach mansion on an island.

It is currently unclear where Combs will serve the remainder of his sentence. Near his home, there is a low-security federal correctional institution in Miami with an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp. The facility houses approximately 1,000 inmates in total.

### Testimony at Trial

During trial testimony, former girlfriend and R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura recounted to jurors that Combs ordered her to have “disgusting” sexual encounters with strangers hundreds of times during their decade-long relationship. Jurors viewed video footage showing Combs dragging and beating her in a Los Angeles hotel hallway after one such multiday event referred to as a “freak-off.”

Another woman, identified as “Jane,” testified that she was pressured into sex with male workers during drug-fueled “hotel nights” while Combs watched and sometimes filmed the encounters.

The Associated Press does not typically name alleged victims of sexual abuse unless they have come forward publicly. Combs’ lawyers argued at trial that the government was trying to criminalize consensual, albeit unconventional, sexual preferences.

### Federal Law Violated: The Mann Act

Combs was sentenced for violating the federal Mann Act, a century-old anti-prostitution law. The Mann Act prohibits transporting someone across state lines for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sexual acts.

Amended primarily in the 1980s, the law today is chiefly used to prosecute interstate prostitution crimes or the transportation of underage children across state lines for sexual purposes. Defense attorney Jason Driscoll argued that the law was misapplied in Combs’ case.

### Combs’ Reputational Decline

Combs’ fall from grace began when Ventura, a key witness in the trial, sued him in 2023, alleging years of sexual and physical abuse. The lawsuit was settled within hours for $20 million, an amount Ventura publicly disclosed for the first time during the trial.

Since then, dozens of others have made similar legal claims against Combs. The federal sex trafficking investigation was publicly revealed on the day of a bicoastal raid on Combs’ properties, elevating the seriousness and public awareness of the allegations.

### How the Case Played in Popular Culture

The seizure of 1,000 bottles of baby oil and other lubricants by federal agents during the raid quickly became a cultural talking point. The case transformed Combs into a punchline in addition to a villain.

Talk shows, “Saturday Night Live,” and social media users have joked about the so-called “freak-offs” and the vast quantities of baby oil allegedly used during Combs’ sex marathons. Fellow celebrities with past associations to Combs were called out, though none have been implicated in the criminal allegations.

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers plan to appeal as convicted hip-hop star faces more years behind bars

**Sean “Diddy” Combs Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for Transporting People Across State Lines for Sexual Encounters**

Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs are planning to appeal following the Grammy-winning artist and music executive’s sentencing on Friday to more than four years in prison. Combs was convicted of transporting people across state lines for sexual encounters, a case that has shattered his carefully cultivated reputation as an affable celebrity entrepreneur, A-list party host, and reality TV star.

The sentencing culminated a public reckoning for the 55-year-old hip-hop icon, who made a plea for leniency and wept as his lawyers played a video highlighting his family life, career, and philanthropy. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian also imposed a $500,000 fine, the maximum allowed under the law.

### Conviction and Sentencing Details

Combs was convicted in July of flying girlfriends and male sex workers around the country to engage in drug-fueled sexual encounters over many years and multiple locations. The nearly two-month federal trial in Manhattan featured harrowing testimony from women who accused Combs of beating, threatening, sexually assaulting, and blackmailing them. However, Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, which could have resulted in a life sentence.

He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison. Having already served one year in jail, he could be released in about three years. Prosecutors had sought a sentence exceeding 11 years, while Combs’ lawyers argued for immediate release, stating that the time served has already led to his remorse and commitment to sobriety.

On the eve of his sentencing, Combs wrote the judge, describing himself as a “new man” after realizing he was “broken to my core.” His legal team has announced plans to appeal the sentence.

There is no possibility of parole in the federal system.

### Prosecutors and Key Witnesses Oppose Leniency

Prosecutor Christy Slavik emphasized that sparing Combs serious prison time would effectively excuse years of violence. Key witnesses also urged the judge to reject leniency, expressing fears for their safety should Combs be freed.

### Where Is Combs Serving His Sentence?

Since his arrest a year ago, Combs has been held in a federal lockup in Brooklyn. His lawyers’ requests to keep him under house arrest at his Miami Beach mansion were denied. The Brooklyn facility, primarily used for post-arrest detention and short sentences, has faced criticism for poor conditions.

It remains unclear where Combs will serve the remainder of his sentence, but there is a low-security federal correctional institution near his Miami home, including an adjacent minimum security satellite camp. According to its website, the facility houses about 1,000 inmates.

### Key Trial Testimonies

During the trial, former girlfriend and R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura testified that Combs compelled her to have “disgusting” sex with strangers hundreds of times during their decade-long relationship. Jurors viewed video footage of Combs dragging and beating her in a Los Angeles hotel hallway after one such multi-day encounter.

Another woman, identified as “Jane,” testified that Combs pressured her into sex with male workers during drug-fueled “hotel nights,” which he sometimes filmed. The Associated Press does not typically name sexual abuse victims unless they come forward publicly.

Combs’ lawyers argued that the government was attempting to criminalize consensual—but unconventional—sexual preferences.

### The Federal Law Involved: The Mann Act

Combs was sentenced for violating the federal Mann Act, an anti-prostitution law with a century-old history. The Mann Act prohibits the transportation of individuals across state lines for prostitution or other illegal sexual acts. While amended in the 1980s, it is primarily used to prosecute interstate prostitution crimes or cases involving the transportation of minors for sexual purposes.

Defense attorney Jason Driscoll contended that the law was misapplied in Combs’ case.

### Diddy’s Reputational Downfall

Combs’ public downfall began in 2023 when Ventura, a key trial witness, sued him, alleging years of sexual and physical abuse. The two settled within hours for $20 million—a sum Ventura revealed publicly for the first time during the trial. Since then, dozens of others have come forward with similar allegations.

The federal sex trafficking investigation was publicly revealed during a coordinated raid on Combs’ homes across the country, escalating the case to intense public scrutiny.

### Cultural Impact of the Case

The raid’s seizure of 1,000 bottles of baby oil and other lubricants quickly became a cultural talking point, turning Combs into both a villain and a punchline. Talk shows, “Saturday Night Live,” and social media widely joked about the “freak-offs” and the vast quantities of baby oil allegedly used during the sex marathons.

While fellow celebrities associated with Combs faced public scrutiny, no others have been implicated in the criminal allegations.

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