Sean (Diddy) Combs is set to receive his federal criminal case sentencing on October 3, as confirmed by a judge following the rejection of a proposal to expedite the process by approximately two weeks from both the defense and prosecution. Despite being in custody after a recent split verdict, Combs engaged with his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, during a brief virtual hearing lasting only two minutes, requesting to turn on the camera for a face-to-face interaction.
His legal team had been pushing for an immediate sentencing post his acquittal on racketeering and sex trafficking charges but conviction on two counts related to prostitution. The 55-year-old music mogul faces a maximum of ten years in prison for each of the two prostitution-related charges, involving transporting individuals, including girlfriends and male sex workers, across the country for sexual activities. Had he been convicted of racketeering conspiracy or sex trafficking, a life sentence could have been a possibility.
Before the recent hearing, joint correspondence from Combs’ attorneys and prosecutors proposed a September 22 sentencing date, subject to U.S. Probation Office approval. Subsequently, a follow-up letter confirmed the consensus, including the probation office, on sticking to the original October 3 date proposed by Judge Arun Subramanian.
Upon his return to jail following the verdict, Combs received a standing ovation from other inmates, as shared by Agnifilo. Despite this, the Bad Boy Records founder will continue to be detained at the federal facility in Brooklyn, where he has been held since his arrest in September last year, after his bail plea was dismissed by Subramanian post-verdict.
The judge emphasized the intention to hold Combs accountable for the revealed history of violence and bullying, including a notorious video showing him assaulting a former girlfriend and images of injuries sustained by another ex-partner. Combs’ legal team is advocating for a sentence below the suggested 21 to 27 months, arguing against the prosecution’s stance of a four to five-year imprisonment recommendation when considering his criminal activities and violent past.
Ultimately, the decision on Combs’ punishment rests with Subramanian, who holds significant discretion in determining the sentence, despite federal guidelines that aim to standardize sentencing for similar offenses. As part of the sentencing procedure, Combs will participate in an interview with probation officers to aid in preparing a pre-sentence investigation report that will assist the judge in reaching a fair decision.