NEW YORK (AP) - Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to be sentenced in his federal criminal case on October 3, according to a judge's announcement made on Tuesday. This decision comes after officials from the probation office rejected proposals from both the defense and prosecution to expedite the sentencing date by roughly two weeks.
Combs, 55, remains incarcerated following a recent split verdict delivered by jurors, where he was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges but found guilty on two counts related to prostitution. During a virtual hearing that lasted only two minutes, he briefly communicated with his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, requesting his lawyer to enable the camera for a face-to-face interaction.
The hip-hop mogul's legal team has been advocating for a prompt sentencing after the trial's conclusion. Combs was convicted on charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, involving the movement of individuals across the country—including female partners and male sex workers— for sexual activities. The law carries a potential maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison per count, while a conviction on the more severe charges of racketeering conspiracy or sex trafficking could have led to life imprisonment.
Before Tuesday's hearing, a joint letter was submitted by Combs’ lawyers and prosecutors, proposing a sentencing date of September 22, contingent upon approval from the U.S. Probation Office. However, they later confirmed that all parties, including the probation office, supported the October 3 date originally suggested by Judge Arun Subramanian.
Agnifilo reported that upon returning to jail following the verdict, Combs received a standing ovation from fellow inmates. He will remain at the federal facility in Brooklyn, where he has been detained since his arrest in September of the previous year. Judge Subramanian, in denying Combs' bail request, referred to disturbing video evidence and photographs showing abuse directed at former girlfriends, emphasizing his commitment to holding Combs accountable for the decades of violent conduct unveiled during the trial.
Combs' legal team is requesting a lesser sentence than the 21 to 27 months suggested by current sentencing guidelines. Conversely, prosecutors assert that, when factoring in Combs' violent history and recent convictions, the guidelines call for a minimum prison term of four to five years.
Ultimately, the responsibility for determining Combs’ sentence lies solely with Judge Subramanian, who has broad discretion in making this decision. Although federal judges typically follow established sentencing guidelines designed to ensure uniformity in penalties for similar offenses, adherence to these guidelines is not obligatory.
As a part of the sentencing process, Combs will be required to participate in an interview with probation officers, who will compile a pre-sentence investigation report that will assist the judge in deciding the appropriate sentence.
