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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will still serve time, despite the shocking verdict. The defense and prosecution have submitted their suggestions.
In May 2025, everyone’s eyes turned to a New York City courthouse as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking and racketeering trial got underway. Over multiple weeks, the public learned of depraved behavior, rampant drug use, and violent tendencies. It took a jury of 12 three days to return a shocking verdict. On July 2, 2025, Diddy was found guilty on just two counts under the Mann Act. The act prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. He was acquitted of the much more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges. Both were charges that likely would have found him behind bars for decades, if not for life, had he been convicted. While he rejoiced at the news, insisting he was coming “home,” it won’t happen that fast. He’ll still serve time. So what could Diddy’s sentencing look like? We have the answer.
How long could Diddy spend behind bars?
While Diddy’s convictions are much less serious than the charges for which he was acquitted, they are still quite serious. In fact, each Mann Act violation is punishable by up to 10 years behind bars. Because Diddy was found guilty of two Mann Act violations, he is, technically, eligible to spend the next 20 years in lockup. That’s probably not what will happen, though. The prosecution has even suggested a much shorter term.
According to ABC News, the prosecutors’ post-trial filing and sentencing guidelines aim for a sentence of 51 to 63 months. Their goal is to see him serve at least four years for his crimes. His defense team would prefer a much smaller sentence. They are asking the presiding judge to consider a sentence of between 21 and 27 months. The defense is also requesting that he be credited with time served for the months he’s spent in a Brooklyn detention center while awaiting trial. If the defense gets its way, Diddy would likely walk out of a federal prison around the first anniversary of his trial.
When will Diddy be sentenced?
It is not uncommon for the prosecution and the defense to disagree on just how long a convicted felon should spend behind bars. Several other high-profile sex crime cases have also seen prosecutors and defense attorneys arguing over the length of the sentence. Josh Duggar’s child porn conviction led to much discussion about the proper sentence for the troubled former reality TV star.
Ultimately, the judge presiding over the case will make the final decision regarding sentencing. Judge Arun Subramanian will decide Diddy’s fate, but that decision could take months to be handed down.
Diddy’s initial sentencing hearing was set for October 2025, more than a year after federal agents picked up the music mogul and processed him into the Metropolitan Detention Center. A hearing next week will decide if that court date will remain or if the system will expedite Diddy’s sentencing. Once sentenced, Diddy will likely be moved from MDC in Brooklyn to a different, more long-term facility. It’s unclear what institution would take the rapper, though.
