On Friday, a New York federal judge will sentence Sean “Diddy” Combs for transporting people across state lines to engage in prostitution.
Combs, who has spent nearly 13 months in jail, was convicted in July of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs is expected to address the court before Judge Arun Subramanian hands down a sentence, according to The Washington Post.
Prosecutors sought an 11-year sentence, while Combs’ attorneys requested 14 months — prompting his immediate release due to the time he has already served. Combs’ attorneys argued that the charges incorrectly applied the Mann Act, as federal prosecutors claimed Combs used drugs and violence to force women to participate in sex marathons.
While awaiting sentencing, Judge Subramanian denied Combs’ repeated requests for release, citing his lawyers’ own words about Combs’ violent behavior towards his former girlfriends. He also noted that Combs’ violence and illegal activity continued even as a federal investigation ensued.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony from three women who accused Combs of physical or sexual abuse. Cassie Ventura, who dated Combs from 2007 to 2018, testified that Combs “stifled” her music career while forcing her to participate in “freak offs,” which often entailed her having sex with other men in Combs’ presence.
Ventura said the drug-fueled ordeals left her sleep-deprived and dehydrated, as they would last for days on end.
Another victim, who used the alias “Mia,” worked as Combs’ assistant for eight years. She accused Combs of forcing her to perform oral sex and sneaking into her bed to penetrate her without her consent. She also claimed Combs hurled objects at her and threw her against a wall.
A third woman, who used the pseudonym “Jane,” dated Combs from 2021 to 2024. She testified about “hotel nights,” which allegedly were sexual rendezvous arranged by Combs. Combs reportedly watched these encounters, which Jane said she had to be under the influence of drugs to participate.
The defense did not call a single witness to testify. Instead, they presented texts between Combs and the alleged victims, which they believe proved the sex encounters were consensual and non-coercive.
They compared Combs and Ventura to “swingers” — and claimed the issues in their relationship stemmed from Combs dating other women, not from the alleged “freak offs.”
Seven letters were sent to the court which addressed Combs’ impending sentencing. One of the letters was from Ventura, who urged the court to sentence Combs to 11 years and three months. She claimed she still feared for her safety, and that her relationship with Combs was a “horrific decade of my life stained by abuse, violence, forced sex and degradation.”
Combs denied a plea deal days before his sentencing.
This story is breaking. Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File]
