Prosecutors seek 11-year term for Diddy

U.S. federal prosecutors have asked a Manhattan judge to impose a prison term of at least 135 months—more than 11 years—on Sean “Diddy” Combs, along with a $500,000 fine, following his conviction on two counts of transporting male prostitutes across state lines for drug‑fueled sexual performances that he watched, recorded and masturbated to.

The conviction, delivered by a jury in July after a two‑month trial, found Combs guilty of moving the escorts for his former girlfriends, but acquitted him of the more serious racketeering and sex‑trafficking charges that could have carried a life sentence. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years.

Prosecutors argue that the sentence should reflect the “abuse of wealth, celebrity and power” and serve as a deterrent, emphasizing a pattern of exploitation despite the jury’s narrower verdict. Their sentencing memorandum stresses that status should not shield offenders from accountability.

Combs’s defense team has countered with a request for a 14‑month term, citing the time he has already spent in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest. They contend that the convicted conduct, while serious, does not merit the lengthy term sought by the government and point to his philanthropic activities, business achievements—including founding Bad Boy Records and popularizing hip‑hop—and family ties as mitigating factors.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian is scheduled to deliver the sentence at a hearing on Friday. In determining the penalty, the judge will consider the federal sentencing guidelines, the prosecution’s aggravating arguments, the defense’s mitigating points, and the credit for time already served.

The case represents one of the most high‑profile celebrity sentencing battles in recent years, potentially marking a dramatic fall from grace for a figure long credited with shaping American hip‑hop culture.