The long-running case of USA v. Combs has officially come to a close.
The federal government’s case against Sean “Diddy” Combs concluded on Friday (October 3) with a full day of sentencing hearings that ended with the mogul receiving 50 months in federal prison and a $500,000 fine.
Combs appeared in Manhattan federal court to be sentenced on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution—charges tied to his notorious “freak offs” or “hotel nights,” which involved drug-fueled, multi-hour or multi-day sexual encounters with girlfriends and male escorts that he arranged, paid for, and often filmed. He had faced a potential maximum sentence of twenty years behind bars.
The sentencing followed his conviction earlier this summer after an eight-week trial, where he was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
The courtroom—and the overflow rooms—were filled with Diddy’s family, supporters, members of the press, and onlookers. His mother Janice, six of his children, his sister Keisha, and producer Dallas Austin were all in attendance, with several of his children taking part in the hearing.
Wearing a tan sweater and dark slacks, Diddy spent much of the day as he had throughout the trial—leaning in to whisper and pass notes to his attorneys, Brian Steel and Nicole Westmoreland. There were, however, moments when he broke down in tears—especially during an emotional 11-minute video his defense team played in court that included scenes of the late Kim Porter, the mother of four of his children.
A surprise to start the day
The day began with a surprise. A former employee of Diddy’s who testified pseudonymously during the trial as “Mia,” was supposed to give a victim impact statement.
However, lead prosecutor Christy Slavik said that the woman had changed her mind, and one factor was a harsh letter objecting to her statement by Diddy’s attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos. The letter, whose tone the judge pointedly called “inappropriate,” said that “everything that came out her mouth” during her testimony “was a lie.” While Judge Arun Subramanian ultimately okayed Mia’s appearance the day before the hearing, Slavik said she backed out “at least in part” due to the letter.
Slavik pointed out that Combs’ team objected to Mia’s statement, but wanted to bring on numerous people to speak about Combs’ character.
“There is some level of irony” in that, Slavik said. “The defense is trying to drown out the voices of victims for character witnesses.”
Guidelines
Judge Subramanian began the hearing by addressing the federal sentencing guideline range — the legally recommended sentence for Combs, though the judge had the authority to deviate from it. The guideline range had been a major point of dispute in the lead-up to sentencing, which we previously detailed here.
In the end, the judge agreed with the Probation Department rather than either side, setting the guideline range at 70–87 months. To reach that decision, he concluded, among other factors, that Combs used coercion in carrying out the crimes for which he was convicted, and that he was the organizer or leader of an “extensive” criminal scheme.
“This isn’t just about freak offs”
After that, Slavik took the floor to deliver her remarks. She spoke about the victims in the case, Cassie Ventura and Jane Doe.
“This isn’t just a case about freak offs and hotel nights,” she said. “It’s a case about real victims. [V]ictims whose lives have been shattered by the defendant’s abuse and exploitation.”
Slavik noted that even as he awaited sentencing, Combs had already booked speaking engagements in Florida for the following week.
“That is the height of hubris,” she said, arguing that his actions showed a lack of accountability and failure to grasp the seriousness of his crimes.
Echoing a stance Judge Subramanian would later affirm, Slavik firmly rejected the defense’s claim that the “freak offs” were consensual encounters between adults. Detailing the abuse described during testimony, she stated, “There’s nothing mutual about that.”
“Mr. Combs showed the world that social justice is important”
After that, Combs’ legal team addressed the court. Jason Driscoll spoke first, contending that a lengthy sentence would create an unfair disparity compared to similar Mann Act cases. His main point was that harsh sentences under the Mann Act are typically given to pimps, which Combs was not, since he didn’t profit financially from the acts.
Next, an emotional Nicole Westmoreland took the stand. Fighting back tears for most of her statement, she recalled hearing Diddy speak at a conference eight years ago and how his words motivated her to chase her dreams.
She reflected on his achievements across music, fashion, media, spirits, and activism, emphasizing how he used his platform to open doors for others.
When she mentioned Combs’ former TV network Revolt, her emotions overwhelmed her.
“It gave Black journalists the opportunity to have a voice,” she said of the network. “Mr. Combs showed the world that social justice is important…. He has dedicated so much of his life to breaking the the chains of systemic racism.”
The children speak
After Westmoreland’s remarks, six of Combs’ children — Quincy, Justin, Christian, Chance, and twins Jessie and D’Lila — addressed Judge Subramanian together. Their messages centered on their father’s transformation since getting sober in jail and how deeply they still need him in their lives.
Jessie and D’Lila were especially emotional. Jessie recalled how Diddy consoled her and her sister after their mother, Kim Porter, passed away suddenly in 2018.
D’Lila spoke about the only sibling not standing with them — their little sister, Love, who is almost three years old.
“We cannot watch our baby sister grow up fatherless the same way we grew up motherless,” she said. “We’ve already lost so much.”
24 years of addiction
After the video presentation, Brian Steel addressed the court. Referring to Combs as “a fighter for civil rights and equality,” he then shifted his focus to his client’s struggles with substance abuse.
Steel explained that Combs became addicted to painkillers following surgery in 2000, and from that time until the fall of 2024, “Sean was high every single day.”
He urged the judge not to treat trauma and addiction with imprisonment but instead to address “the root of the problem” through therapy and counseling.
“He is completely broken,” Steel said of his client. “He has punished himself more than anyone will be able to punish him.”
Steel also spent considerable time reading excerpts from Cassie’s testimony, arguing that the “freak offs” she was involved in were consensual.
Character witnesses
Two speakers took the stand to discuss Combs’ character and his future plans after release, specifically highlighting his intention to continue the “Free Game With Diddy” business class he taught to fellow inmates. Additionally, attorney Xavier Donaldson addressed the potential “collateral consequences” that could arise if Combs’ prison term were extended.
The lead attorney speaks
The final attorney to speak on Combs’ behalf was Marc Agnifilo. He acknowledged that requesting a 14-month sentence — essentially time served — was “a lot,” and went on to explain his reasoning.
“It’s clear that Sean Combs has genuine psychological challenges,” he began, referencing diagnoses of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and major anxiety disorder, along with his “overwhelming” drug use.
Agnifilo contended that his client had already been punished “in one of the most public ways that I can think of.”
“Everybody knows what happened to Sean Combs,” he continued. “And what happened to Sean Combs is just immensely destructive in every way.”
He echoed Steel’s appeal to address “the root problem” — Combs’ mental health.
A rebuttal
Christy Slavik then took her turn to respond to the five defense attorneys.
She began by revisiting the defense’s claim that Combs wasn’t a pimp.
“Really, what are pimps?” she asked. “Pimps exploit and control their victims. That’s what the defendant did here.”
Slavik also took aim at the polished video presented by Combs’ team, drawing a sharp contrast with the now-notorious footage of him assaulting Cassie at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles.
“The production quality of the Intercontinental video is obviously much different from the video that the defense played,” she said. “It’s pixilated. The picture sometimes jumps. There is no musical overlay. But it shows the defendant for who he is when he doesn’t realize that the cameras are rolling.”
She labeled Combs a “master manipulator,” adding that “you can’t trust his words,” and reminded the court that he had already apologized and vowed to change in a spring 2024 Instagram post following the release of that video.
“But for months after that, for months after he claimed to be a changed man, he continued committing crimes,” she said. “He continued violating the Mann Act. He viciously assaulted Jane. He had drugs in his hotel room when he was arrested. He was not a changed man then, and, despite what he says now, he’s not a changed man now.”
Diddy speaks
After that, it was Combs’ turn to speak.
He devoted much of his statement to apologizing for the “disgusting, despicable” behavior captured in the Intercontinental video, explaining that it happened because he was “sick from the drugs” and “got lost in excess.”
“I’ve been humbled and broken to my core,” he said. “I hate myself right now.”
Combs offered apologies to his children and, with his voice trembling, to his mother, Janice.
“Mommy, I failed you as a son,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
The sentence
Then it was time for Judge Subramanian to deliver the sentence.
Almost immediately, he made it clear that he believed Combs had coerced Cassie and Jane into participating in the freak offs.
“The Court rejects the defense’s attempt to characterize what happened here as merely intimate, consensual experiences, or just a sex, drugs, and rock and roll story,” he said. “The evidence of the abuse in connection with freak-offs and hotel nights is massive.
“This was subjugation, and it drove both Ms. Ventura and Jane to thoughts of ending their lives. That is the reality of what happened.”
The judge also revisited the notion of Combs being seen as a john.
“You were no john. You were more than that,” he said. “Even if your currency was satisfying your sexual desires, instead of money. But the coercion was the same, if not worse.”
He then handed down the 50-month prison sentence — significantly less than what the defense requested, and 10 months shorter than the Probation Department’s recommendation.
It was brief enough, the judge told Combs, that “you will have a life afterwards.”
After some final procedural matters, Subramanian offered closing words — first to Cassie and Jane.
“Ms. Ventura and Jane, you’ve been through abuse and trauma that most of us can’t imagine,” he said. “To Ms. Ventura and the other brave survivors who came forward, I want to say first, we heard you.
“I can only say that I know your families are proud of you, and your children, when they are old enough, will be proud of you. And I am proud of you for coming to the Court to tell the world what really happened.”
Turning to Combs, he stated, “Your violence, coercion, and abuse had devastating effects.” But added, “You and your family are going to get through this.”
The judge closed with his final words to Diddy: “I’m counting on you to make the most of your second chance.”
