Diddy Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Exploiting Women

Hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison by a New York court after being found guilty of transporting women to engage in prostitution. Alongside the jail term, the 55-year-old rapper and music executive was ordered to pay a Sh65 million (USD 500,000) fine.

What Led to Diddy’s Conviction?

The ruling follows months of legal drama surrounding Combs, who was acquitted earlier of more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, offences that could have landed him a life sentence. The case centered on allegations that he used his wealth, fame, and influence to manipulate and exploit two women, singer Cassandra Ventura and another identified in court as “Jane.”

According to The New York Times, Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs’ actions reflected a pattern of exploitation, telling the court that he had “subjugated” women for years. “Exploitation and violence against women will be met with real accountability,” the judge said in a firm address that lasted 20 minutes. He emphasized that the punishment was meant to both correct the wrongdoing and serve as a warning to others.

Combs, who has been held at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn since his arrest in September last year, remained largely silent as the sentence was read. Witnesses described him as visibly emotional, turning to his family to whisper, “I love you, I’m sorry.”

What’s Next for the Hip-Hop Mogul?

His legal team had pushed for a reduced 14-month sentence, citing time already served and his alleged efforts toward reform. Prosecutors, however, called for an 11-year term, highlighting his past incidents of abuse and violence.

Several of Combs’ children gave tearful testimonies during the sentencing, while the judge stood firm that a harsh penalty was necessary to “send a message to both abusers and victims.”

The once-celebrated music mogul, known for building a global brand across entertainment, fashion, and liquor, will now begin serving his sentence in a federal prison facility. His fall from grace marks a major moment in the ongoing global reckoning around accountability and abuse of power in the entertainment industry.

By Risper Akinyi