Sean “Diddy” Combs Sentenced to Over 4 Years in Prison After 2-year Legal Battle

Elizabeth Williams_AP via Rolling Stone

On Oct. 3, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was sentenced to 50 months in prison for two counts of transportation of prostitution, along with a $500,000 fine. The sentence comes almost two years after the first lawsuit filed against him by his longtime ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. 

Combs was charged on Sept. 17, 2024, with sex trafficking, racketeering, transportation of prostitution, with alleged claims of kidnapping, forced labour, and bribery. Combs pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. His trial began in May, though it was amended twice to include other charges. The first amended indictment took place on March 6, with the expanded description of forced labour and other details. However, there were no new counts. 

The second indictment took place on April 4, where two new counts were added to the case: one sex trafficking count and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution.

During the trial, the prosecution represented around 130 people. Tony Buzbee, the prosecuting lawyer, stated in a press conference that half of the plaintiffs were men, with around 25 minors, the youngest being nine at the time of the crime.

Out of the many claims that were filed, the main victims were Cassie Ventura and “Jane Doe,” both of whom were Comb’s ex-girlfriends. Combined, the two women stood in the witness box for 10 days, with both their testimonies being very similar. 

During her time on the stand, Ventura testified that the trauma from being with Diddy pushed her to the brink of suicide and left her feeling worthless after encountering his abuse. 

In Jane Doe’s testimony, she described her romantic and intimate moments with him early in the relationship, claiming she was head over heels for him. However, as the relationship went on, she felt pressured by a combination of emotional attachment and financial dependency. 

For instance, Combs began paying her rent, which was about $10,000 a month. This made her feel obligated to go along with his requests to participate in sexual acts. 

On July 2, Combs was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking and only found guilty of transportation of prostitution on two counts, with the 50-month sentence length decided on October 3. 

During the final hearing, six out of his seven children were present, some of them crying. They pleaded with the judge, claiming that he had changed significantly over the 13 months he spent in jail. 

Combs testified that he believed his actions were “disgusting, shameful, and sick.” He apologized to his victims and said, “I can't change the past, but I can change the future.” 

Judge Arun Subramanianended the trial by stating that, “there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” and reminding Combs that he “ha[s] a universe of people who love [him].”