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 close to 13 months behind bars, was found guilty in July for transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. Before Judge Arun Subramanian announces the sentence, Combs is anticipated to speak to the court, reports The Washington Post.
The prosecution requested an 11-year imprisonment for Combs, whereas his defense team asked for a 14-month term, which would allow for his immediate release considering the time he’s already served. His lawyers argued that the Mann Act was applied incorrectly, countering federal prosecutors’ assertions that Combs used intimidation and narcotics to coerce women into lengthy sexual sessions.
As Combs awaited his sentencing, Judge Subramanian rejected multiple pleas for his release, referencing his attorneys’ statements regarding Combs’ aggressive behavior towards previous partners. The judge also pointed out that Combs continued his violent and illegal actions even while under federal investigation.
During the proceedings, the jury heard from three women accusing Combs of physical or sexual mistreatment. Cassie Ventura, in a relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018, stated that he curbed her music career and forced her into “freak off” sessions, which required her to have sexual encounters with other men while Combs looked on.
Ventura said the drug-fueled ordeals left her sleep-deprived and dehydrated, as they would last for days on end.
Another accuser, using the alias “Mia,” worked as Combs’ assistant for eight years. She alleged that Combs compelled her to perform oral sex and would enter her room to engage in non-consensual intercourse. Additionally, she described instances where Combs threw items at her and slammed her into a wall.
A third woman, identified by the pseudonym “Jane,” was involved with Combs from 2021 to 2024. She spoke about “hotel nights,” which involved sexual meetings organized by Combs. During these encounters, he reportedly watched, and Jane claimed she needed to be under the influence of drugs to endure them.
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.
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[Feature Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File]
