By Charles Pemu 
Sean “Diddy” Combs faces years in prison as he awaits sentencing today in New York after his federal conviction on prostitution-related charges.
Federal prosecutors are aggressively pushing for a sentence of at least 11 years and 3 months, arguing the music mogul is “unrepentant” for the trauma inflicted on his victims. Meanwhile, Combs’ legal team is pleading with the judge to impose no more than 14 months, a term that would allow him to walk free almost immediately due to time already served.
The Conviction and Legal Fight
Combs was convicted in July 2025 on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in violation of the Mann Act, stemming from arranging travel for male escorts for sexual encounters involving his former girlfriends. He was acquitted of the more severe charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The prosecution’s sentencing recommendation, filed earlier this week, cited years of abuse and violence. They argue that the defendant is attempting to “recast decades of abuse as simply the function of mutually toxic relationships,” a claim strongly rejected by the government.
Victims Urge Harsh Sentence
The court is considering powerful impact statements from accusers, including Combs’ former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Ventura, who was the prosecution’s star witness, has urged the judge not to be lenient, stating she fears for her safety if Combs is freed. Other accusers echoed her fears, stating that Combs’s wealth and power should not place him above the law.
The judge has already shut down Combs’s last-minute legal attempts, including a bid to overturn his conviction, ruling that there was “overwhelming evidence of Combs’ guilt” and that his illegal activity could not be laundered into constitutionally protected activity.
Diddy’s Plea from Jail
In a letter to the court ahead of the sentencing, Combs apologized for “all of the hurt and pain” he has caused, admitting his “downfall was rooted in my selfishness.” The mogul, who has been detained at a federal jail in Brooklyn since his arrest in September 2024, claimed that “the old me died in jail and a new version of me was reborn,” and vowed never to commit another crime.
Combs is expected to address the court today, his first public statement on the charges after choosing not to testify during the eight-week trial. His fate, which could see him sentenced to a maximum of 20 years, now rests with U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.