Sean "Diddy" Combs Sentenced to Over 4 Years for Prostitution-Related Charges

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was sentenced Friday to 4 years and 2 months in prison in a case involving sex workers, violence and “freak-offs.” The judge said a lengthy sentence was needed for deterrence and that he was unconvinced that if Combs is released, these crimes won’t happen again.

Combs, 55, was convicted in July of flying people across state lines for drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters. Jurors acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have carried a life sentence.

Combs, 55, was taken into custody in September last year so he'll have more than a year of credit toward his incarceration.

The judge also fined Combs $500,000 and ordered five years of supervised release once Combs leaves prison.

• Combs sentenced under the Mann Act: The Mann Act makes it illegal to transport someone across state lines for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sex acts. Combs was convicted of counts involving two former girlfriends: the R&B singer Cassie and a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane.

  
  

• Combs apologized to judge for his ‘disgusting, shameful’ behavior: Speaking at the hearing, Combs apologized and called his past behavior “disgusting, shameful” and “sick.” The hip-hop mogul told the judge Friday that his domestic violence is a burden that he will have to carry for the rest of his life.

  
  

• Prosecutors had sought an 11-year sentence: Prosecutor Christy Slavik told the judge that sparing Combs serious prison time would excuse years of violence. Key witnesses in the trial also urged the judge to reject leniency for the hip-hop mogul, stating that they would fear for their safety if he were freed.

Judge Arun Subramanian described the two women at the center of Combs’ conviction as “brave survivors” who gave others a voice.

“Jane and Cassie Ventura have been through abuse and trauma we couldn’t imagine,” he said, adding: “I can only say your families are proud of you and your children will be proud of you for coming to the court to tell you what really happened. You weren’t just talking to the jury, you were talking to the women who feel powerless.”

The judge who sent Combs away for multiple years behind bars encouraged the disgraced artist to make this most of his second chance.

"Being a champion and uplifting black and brown communities — that’s what you set out to do at the beginning of your career decades ago," Subramanian told the defendant.

"Your letter said you lost your way but there’s a true path to redemption here: What went wrong and what can be made right."

The judge told Combs he was "counting on you to making the most of that second chance."