Prosecutors Demand an 11-Year Prison Term for Sean “Diddy” Combs

30 September 2025

2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Arrivals Beverly Hills, California, U.S., 04/03/2018. Rapper P. Diddy. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/File Photo

Federal prosecutors have advocated that Sean “Diddy” Combs receive a sentence of 11 years and three months in prison following his conviction on two counts related to transporting individuals for prostitution, a proposal that significantly exceeds the sentencing range suggested by other parties in the case. The case has captured attention not just because of Combs’ celebrity status but also due to the serious nature of the underlying accusations, which include allegations of coercion, drug use, and violence.

At trial in July 2025, Combs was acquitted of more severe charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. The prosecution’s sentencing memorandum frames the transportation convictions as serious offenses warranting a lengthy penalty, emphasizing what it describes as “unrepentant” behavior and the harm caused to victims. In contrast, Combs’ defense attorneys are pushing for a much shorter sentence no more than 14 months arguing that he has already served significant time in detention and is entitled to credit for that period.

Adding complexity to the sentencing phase, the U.S. Probation Department has put forward a recommendation of 5 to 7 years as a suitable range. The judge presiding over the case, Arun Subramanian, is now tasked with weighing these divergent proposals, taking into account the trial record, victim statements, and guidelines under federal law.

Among those urging a harsher sentence is Combs’ former partner Cassie Ventura, who submitted a personal statement to the court detailing her experiences and requesting that the punishment reflect the severity of the alleged abuse. She wrote of feeling fear and ongoing impact from their shared history, and her testimony at trial included allegations of coercive and violent conduct.

Legal analysts observing the case note that the sentencing outcome may hinge on whether Judge Subramanian considers “acquitted conduct” acts not charged or not resulting in conviction as relevant to the sentence. Under recent federal sentencing reforms, lower courts are discouraged from relying heavily on such conduct when calculating guidelines, though judges retain discretion in some circumstances.

The magnitude of the prosecutors’ request reflects both the high stakes of this ruling and the broader scrutiny of powerful figures facing criminal accountability. A lengthy sentence would send a strong message to public figures engaging in illicit conduct, while a more lenient result could ignite debate over equitable treatment before the law.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 3, 2025, and it will mark a pivotal moment not only for Combs, but for how courts treat celebrity defendants in high profile criminal cases moving forward.