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A judge presiding in a New York federal court has handed down a penalty to the music executive Sean Combs to a prison term of four years and two months following his summertime guilty verdict on federal counts involving prostitution.

Legal Outcome

The Friday decision in a Manhattan courtroom came after a federal jury in July cleared the music industry veteran aged 55 of the most serious charges against him – racketeering and trafficking charges – but found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Combs, who has been held at the Brooklyn metropolitan detention center since his 2024 September arrest, had pleaded not guilty to all of the charges brought against him. He has been granted time served for the 13 months already spent incarcerated.

Court Submissions

Last week, Combs's lawyers asked the court to impose a sentence of no more than 14 months, which, accounting for prior custody, would enable his freedom before year's end.

The prosecution, on the other hand, advocated for a much lengthier term, asking the court to issue a penalty of no less than 135 months (over 11 years) and a half-million-dollar penalty. In their filing, the prosecutors described Combs as “unrepentant” and said that his record shows extensive abuse and violent behavior.

Trial Background and Key Allegations

Since the jury delivered its verdict in July, the presiding judge Arun Subramanian has turned down two release appeals from his attorneys and also denied a request to set aside the guilty verdicts.

During the court proceedings, which began 12 May, the prosecution accused the Bad Boy Records founder of using his power, fame, wealth and influence, as well as violence, threats and blackmail, to coerce two of his former girlfriends into participating in what were described as narcotics-laced sexual activities with hired partners, referred to as certain sexual events, which they said he organized, viewed, self-stimulated to and at times videotaped.

Prosecutors alleged that for more than two decades, Combs led a criminal enterprise – supported by workers and partners – that was involved in and tried to hide a variety of offenses including sex trafficking, kidnapping, forced labor, drug dealing, intentional burning and corruption, enticement to engage in prostitution and obstruction of justice.

Courtroom Accounts and Proof

The jurors received testimony from 30-plus individuals called by the prosecution, including a pair of his ex-partners, multiple past workers and helpers, male escorts, accommodation workers, investigative personnel and celebrities including rapper Kid Cudi and singer Dawn Richard and others. Combs did not testify.

And after three days of deliberations totaling 13 hours, the jurors announced a partial verdict and acquitted Combs of the racketeering and sex trafficking charges, which could have led to a life imprisonment, but convicted him on the prostitution charges stemming from the Mann Act federal statute.

Primary Evidence

Fundamental to the government's argument were the statements from the two previous companions: singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a individual testifying as “Jane”. Both women described the so-called “freak offs” in graphic detail and alleged that Combs pressured them into participating.

She told the court that during her and their decade-plus intermittent relationship, Combs subjected her to bodily, sexual and psychological mistreatment and coercion. Jury members were often displayed the 2016 lodging camera recording of Combs attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway.

“Jane” testified that she, too, was coerced and menaced by him into sexual activities, and also narrated a physical confrontation with him that resulted in head welts.

Defense Arguments and Mitigating Factors

Across the case, his attorneys conceded prior incidents of spousal abuse, but rejected claims of coercion or trafficking and maintained that all sexual activity was consensual, portraying them as elements of a “swingers” practice.

In their sentencing memo, his attorneys pointed to his narcotics dependency as a factor that contributed to his behavior.

Final Appeals and Victim Impact

On the evening prior to his sentencing, Combs submitted a letter to the court making a request for compassion.

“Above all, I need to say sorry and say how sincerely sorry I am for all of the hurt and pain that I have inflicted on others through my actions. I accept complete responsibility for my past wrongs,” he wrote.

“These have been the toughest two years of my life, and I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself. In my life, I have committed numerous errors, but I am ceasing to avoid them” he added. “I am deeply apologetic for the pain I inflicted, but I understand that the mere words ‘I’m sorry’ will not suffice as these words alone cannot erase the pain from the past.”

Later in the letter, he added, “I lost my way. I became迷失 in my travels. Lost in the drugs and the excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been modest and shattered fundamentally.”

Earlier this week, ahead of the sentencing, Ventura offered an impact account, asking the judge to impose the prosecution's recommended penalty.

“Although the jurors appeared not to comprehend or accept that I engaged in freak-offs because of the force and coercion the respondent applied to me, I know that is the truth, and his penalty ought to mirror the factual evidence and my lived experience as a victim” Ventura wrote.

She said that she still has “nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and still need mental health treatment to cope with my past”.

“My fears that he or his allies might target me and my family is my reality,” she wrote to the court. “I am fearful that if he gains freedom, his initial steps will be immediate revenge towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial.

Additional Legal Matters

Outside of his criminal case, Combs is facing more than 50 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and other wrongdoings. He has disputed all accusations in those proceedings.