Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to just four years in prison after being found guilty on prostitution charges.
He was acquitted on the more serious racketeering and sex trafficking counts following a marathon trial this past summer.
The 55-year-old rap mogul has remained in federal custody since his arrest last year. He continued to stay behind bars after his earlier guilty verdict.
His sentencing hearing in Manhattan federal court began at 10 a.m. Friday. It ran late into the day as attorneys, six of his children, a reverend, and Combs himself addressed the judge, the New York Post reported.
Federal prosecutors urged Judge Arun Subramanian to sentence Combs to more than 11 years. Combs’ legal team pushed for just 14 months due to time served.
ABC News reported that Combs sat emotionless as the sentence was read. His hands were clasped in his lap. He dropped his head slightly.
The judge thanked Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and an unnamed witness for testifying. “You stood up to power,” the judge said. “The number of people who you reached is incalculable.”
Subramanian had previously ruled that Combs would pose a danger to the public if released early.
The judge cited the violence Combs inflicted on Ventura, Trending Politics reported.
The defense admitted to the domestic violence allegations. The judge noted the “confession was unnecessary because defendant’s violence was starkly depicted in the 2016 video at the InterContinental Hotel.”
The footage shows Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway. “For present purposes, the defendant is unable to meet his burden,” Subramanian said.
The judge told the defense they failed to prove Combs posed no danger to the community. “Under these circumstances, it’s impossible for the defendant to show he poses no danger to any person,” Subramanian added.
Combs is also facing multiple civil lawsuits. Men and women accuse him of sexual misconduct and rape.
One suit, filed by Chicago producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr., claims Combs used him to acquire drugs and prostitutes for sex acts.
Another lawsuit involves a woman who says Combs dangled her over the edge of a 17th-floor hotel balcony.
The criminal charges largely stemmed from his notorious “freak off” parties. Prosecutors argued participants were forced into drug use and sexual acts. The jury did not convict on those allegations.
“While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed,” said Doug Wigdor, Ventura’s attorney. “We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many,” Wigdor added.
