After over a year of investigation that became public with the federal raids of Diddy’s homes, an eight-week trial, and lots of talk about baby oil and Freak-Offs, we now know how long Sean Combs will be in jail. The music mogul has been sentenced to 50 months — just over four years — in prison for his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
In addition to serving “hard time” in prison, according to Judge Arun Subramanian, per CNN, Diddy was also hit with a $500,000 fine — the maximum he could receive on the charges. The sentencing came at the end of an hours-long hearing Friday, October 3, during which the judge heard from the defense, prosecution and from Diddy himself. The rapper used his time to issue an apology to his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, TMZ reports, saying:
I want to personally apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I’ve caused her — emotionally or physically. I would like to apologize to her family. I’m so sorry.
arrested in September 2024 — while the prosecution hoped for a steeper sentence of 11 years.
In issuing the maximum $500,000 fine, Judge Subramanian said he took into account Diddy’s “immense resources, which enabled his crimes.” He questioned the mogul’s remorse and said due to the seriousness of the crimes, a “substantial” sentence was required. The judge said Diddy “irreparably harmed two women,” who are still feeling the effects and said:
The conduct occurred for over a decade and with tremendous frequency over that time period. Why did it happen that long? Because you had the power and the resources to keep it going. And because you weren’t caught.
The judge, however, acknowledged the “dark place” Diddy was likely in and encouraged him to lean on his loved ones. Subramanian said:
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. These letters, all those letters that I saw, show that you have a universe of people who love you. Let them lift you up now, just like you’ve lifted them up for so many years.
The judge also addressed Cassie Ventura and others who came forward during the trial. He said their families were proud of them and he was proud of them. He continued:
You were speaking to the millions of women out there who have been victims but feel invisible and powerless and had to suffer in silence. You told those women and the world that violence behind closed doors doesn’t have to stay hidden forever. The number of people who you reached is incalculable.
Diddy’s trial has dominated headlines for much of 2025, and the defense was given a big win in July when Sean Combs was acquitted on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which would have carried a much longer prison sentence. Stay tuned for whatever comes next in Diddy’s legal process.