Sean “Diddy” Combs, the Grammy-winning music executive, has been sentenced to 50 months in federal prison and fined $500,000 for transporting consenting adults across state lines for paid sexual encounters, violating the Mann Act. His lawyers have filed a notice of appeal, challenging the scope of the sentence under the jury’s verdict.
Conviction and Charges
In July 2025, a Manhattan federal jury convicted Combs, 55, on two counts under the Mann Act for flying adults—including former partner Cassie Ventura and paid companions—to hotels in multiple states for drug-fueled group sex. He was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex-trafficking charges that carried possible life terms.[1][2]
Sentencing and Time Served
On October 3, 2025, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian imposed:
- 50 months in prison, near the top of federal guidelines
- A $500,000 fine, the maximum allowable under statute
- Five years of supervised release following imprisonment
Combs has served approximately 13 months in detention since his September 2024 arrest, reducing his remaining term to about 37 months.[3][4]
Rationale for Sentence
Judge Subramanian cited the repeated nature of the offenses and need for deterrence, stating that significant punishment was required “to affirm that serious misconduct against adults under the guise of consent will not go unpunished”.[5]
Appeal Arguments
Lead attorneys Ted Geragos and Jason Driscoll argue that enhancing Combs’s sentence based on “acquitted conduct” conflicts with the jury’s findings. They assert that Combs has shown genuine remorse, sobriety, and rehabilitation during his detention, and that further incarceration lacks rehabilitative value for a first-time offender.[6]
Detention Facility
Since his arrest, Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which houses pretrial detainees and inmates serving shorter sentences. A request to serve pretrial confinement under house arrest at his Miami Beach residence was denied. The Bureau of Prisons will assign him to a low-security facility for the remainder of his term.[7]
The Mann Act Context
The Mann Act, enacted in 1910 and amended in the 1980s, prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or other unlawful sexual activity. Defense counsel argued that Congress intended the law to target involuntary servitude and underage exploitation, not consensual adult arrangements.[2][8]
Public and Media Reaction
Media coverage highlighted sensational details of the investigation, including the seizure of over 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil during raids. Late-night shows and social media commentary underscored the case’s lurid aspects, even as survivors and advocacy groups emphasized accountability and support for victims.[9][10]
