By Corinne Ramey

A federal judge on Friday sentenced Sean "Diddy" Combs to four years in prison for his conviction on prostitution offenses.

Combs, 55 years old, was convicted of two counts after a seven-week trial during which his former girlfriends testified about dayslong, drug-fueled sex sessions involving prostitutes. But jurors rejected more serious charges that Combs ran a criminal enterprise and committed sex trafficking, allowing him to avoid a maximum potential sentence of life.

Standing at the defense table Friday, Combs said he was sorry for his behavior and that he would never put his hands on another person again. He turned to face the packed courtroom gallery and apologized to his mother and children, who sat in the pews behind him.

"I got lost in excess, I got lost in my ego. Because of my decisions, I lost my freedom," said Combs, who had gray hair and was dressed in a cream-colored sweater and slacks. "I beg Your Honor for mercy."

The sentence caps a stunning downfall for a man who rose to become one of the music industry's most powerful figures, with a business empire spanning from rap albums to fashion and liquor. That career unraveled as he faced accusations of sexual abuse.

The sentencing hearing, much like the trial that preceded it, drew a crush of media attention and onlookers to the federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan.

On Friday, hopeful observers stood in line for hours to snag a seat. Social-media influencers filmed TikTok dispatches and a male escort nicknamed "The Punisher," who had testified about his role in sex parties at trial, addressed groups of people while hawking his book. "I think he's going to walk free," said Bronx resident Fabio Guzman, who milled about holding a boombox playing the song "Nasty Girl."

The day-long proceeding included lengthy presentations from Combs's defense team and a slickly produced video with footage of Combs spending time with his family and running a marathon.

In court on Friday, Combs's children asked the judge for mercy, at times through tears. "He is completely transformed," said his son Quincy Brown, surrounded by his siblings. "Our father will never, ever do anything to jeopardize his freedom."

Federal prosecutors argued that Combs's brutal violence and its enduring impact on his victims weighed in favor of a sentence of more than 11 years. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik said Combs was unrepentant and hadn't accepted responsibility for his crimes. "He has booked speaking engagements in Miami for next week," said Slavik. "That is the height of hubris."

Lawyers for the music mogul said a sentence of no more than 14 months was sufficient. Because Combs has been in jail since his arrest last year, such a sentence could have amounted to little additional time behind bars. They argued that Combs had received treatment for drug addiction and anger management, in addition to helping fellow inmates by teaching a class called "Free Game With Diddy."

Combs was convicted under the Mann Act, a law that criminalizes transporting people across state lines for sex. His lawyers argued that Mann Act cases involving stiff sentences typically involved large-scale prostitution operations or financial gain by the defendant, which Combs's didn't obtain.

"Whether the form of intimacy is a threesome, or home-made pornography, or some other type of consensual adult sexual activity, the sexual freedom of consenting adults is recognized and protected under the law," his lawyers wrote.

The jury's acquittal on the more serious charges, which carried up to life in prison, had amounted to a victory for Combs. His lawyers relied on an unusual defense strategy, admitting that he committed domestic abuse and was violent with his girlfriends. But they argued that conduct didn't amount to a criminal enterprise.

Several of Combs's accusers submitted letters to the court ahead of his sentencing. Cassie Ventura, a singer and former girlfriend who testified for the prosecution, said she still suffered nightmares and flashbacks from Combs's years of control and abuse.

"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, " she wrote.

Write to Corinne Ramey at corinne.ramey@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 03, 2025 16:44 ET (20:44 GMT)

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