Diddy Convicted on Prostitution Charges Linked to Escorts, Faces Up to 20 Years—but May Serve Much Less
New York City, July 2, 2025 — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been convicted on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution, a federal offense under the Mann Act, stemming from allegations that he hired male escorts to engage in drug-fueled sex acts with his former partners — Cassie Ventura and a more recent ex-girlfriend who testified under the name “Jane.”
However, the hip-hop mogul was cleared of the most serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, drastically reducing his potential prison time and sparing him from a possible life sentence.
Sentencing Showdown: 21 Months or 63?
The two Mann Act violations each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years, meaning Combs technically faces up to 20 years in prison. But the real legal battle now centers on how those two counts are treated at sentencing: concurrently or consecutively.
In a letter to the court filed after the verdict, Combs’ defense team argued that the two offenses should be served at the same time (concurrent sentences), placing the expected sentencing range at 21 to 27 months. His lead attorney Marc Agnifilo said Combs deserves a sentence below even that range, pointing out that the music mogul made no profit from the prostitution and was not running a commercial operation.
“He’s not a pimp,” Agnifilo told the court. “He wasn’t making money from these acts. These were private, consensual situations.”
Prosecutors, meanwhile, argue that the two convictions should be served one after the other (consecutively), pushing the sentencing range to 51 to 63 months — or about four to five years behind bars. Their rationale: each incident involved different individuals and events, and should therefore be treated as separate criminal episodes.
No Bail, No Mansion Party
Combs is currently being held in federal custody after the court denied his request for bail. His legal team had hoped he would be released pending sentencing, but the judge declined, citing the seriousness of the convictions and concerns about flight risk.
The ruling derailed what insiders said would have been a lavish celebration in Miami, with plans for a massive party at Combs’ Star Island mansion now on indefinite hold.
Trump Pardon Still in Play
As Media Take Out previously reported, Diddy’s team has already reached out to former President Donald Trump, formally requesting a presidential pardon. Sources say Trump remains “receptive” to the idea, though no official word has been given.
Trump has a history of pardoning high-profile figures, including rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, and insiders believe he’s closely following the case. A pardon before sentencing would dramatically alter Combs’ legal future.
The Stakes Ahead
- Sentencing is scheduled for this fall, with a potential range between 21 months and 63 months, depending on whether the sentences run concurrently or consecutively.
- Federal judges are not bound by sentencing guidelines. In the Southern District of New York, judges follow them about 34.5% of the time, giving U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian broad discretion.
- Diddy remains in custody, awaiting sentencing and the possible outcome of a presidential pardon.
Though Combs avoided a worst-case scenario — life in prison — his fate is far from sealed. The difference between two years and five years will come down to how the judge interprets the scope and intent of the offenses. And if Trump doesn’t come through with a pardon, the final say will come not from politics — but from the bench.