Federal prosecutors in New York are urging a judge to impose a prison sentence of more than 11 years on hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, following his conviction on prostitution-related charges. They are also seeking a fine of approximately Ksh64 million, according to recent court filings.
Combs, arrested in September last year, was convicted of two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution, each carrying a maximum of 10 years in prison. While he faces up to 20 years, defence lawyers have argued for a much lighter 14-month sentence, which would allow him to walk free almost immediately given time served.
The case stems from allegations that Combs coerced former girlfriends into participating in so-called “freak-offs” and arranged for male sex workers to cross state lines for the events. Although jurors found him guilty of using sex workers illegally, he was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
Prosecutors emphasized testimony from two women who claimed Combs threatened them and resorted to violence when they resisted. However, jurors did not conclude that the encounters were non-consensual, a key argument in the government’s case.
Ahead of sentencing, Combs’ legal team submitted documents highlighting what they described as “inhumane” conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn. They cited violence, contaminated food, and the rapper’s lack of access to fresh air for more than a year. Defence attorneys also stressed that Combs’ career and reputation have been destroyed, and that he has rehabilitated himself—becoming sober after 25 years and launching a prison education program on business management and entrepreneurship.
Judge Arun Subramanian of the U.S. District Court is expected to deliver the sentence in Manhattan on Friday.
