Sean “Diddy” Combs faces sentencing that could exceed 11 years after his Mann Act conviction, as prosecutors cite abuse allegations while his defense pleads for leniency.
Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in court Friday for sentencing in a federal case that could see him spend more than a decade in prison.
Combs, 55, was convicted in July on two counts of violating the Mann Act by transporting women and men across state lines for prostitution. He was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges that carried a potential life sentence.
Prosecutors urged U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian to impose more than 11 years, citing testimony from multiple women who said Combs beat, blackmailed, and coerced them into sexual encounters.
His former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, testified he forced her into “freak-offs” with strangers and described him as a “manipulative abuser” in a letter to the court.
Defense lawyers argued the encounters were consensual and urged leniency, saying prosecutors’ request was “wildly out of proportion.” They asked for time served, noting Combs has been jailed for a year.
Combs entered the packed courtroom in Brooklyn flanked by U.S. marshals, embracing his family before proceedings began. He is expected to speak before sentencing.