Lawyers representing Sean “Diddy” Combs are preparing to challenge his recent federal conviction and subsequent prison sentence.
On Friday, October 3, Diddy, age 55, received a sentence of just over four years in federal prison after being found guilty of transporting individuals across state lines for sex. He was acquitted of the charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering.
“The sentence and guideline calculations included considerations for conduct for which Mr. Combs was found not guilty by the jury,” stated Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, in an interview with The New York Post on Saturday, October 4. “We believe this constitutes a legal mistake.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Diddy’s legal representatives for further statements.
Diddy’s sentencing occurred on October 3, slightly over four years after his arrest in New York on multiple charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution. He denied all charges and pleaded not guilty.
After a lengthy two-month trial commencing in May, Diddy was found not guilty of the more severe sex trafficking and racketeering charges but convicted of two counts of unlawful transportation.
Throughout the proceedings, Diddy’s legal team sought his release on bail multiple times, but Judge Arun Subramanian denied each request, leading to Diddy’s incarceration at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since September 2024.
In July, his attorneys filed a motion aiming for either his acquittal or a new trial, which was rejected by Judge Subramanian on September 30.
Just before sentencing, the defense urged Judge Subramanian to impose a 14-month sentence, followed by supervised release including mandatory drug treatment and therapy sessions. This proposed sentence would have accounted for the year already served at MDC, allowing for Diddy’s release by year-end.
His attorneys claimed that “the proposed sentence is fair and just for Mr. Combs,” given that typical sentencing guidelines for such crimes suggest a range of six to twelve months.
Diddy Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean “Diddy” Combs
The founder of Sean John was said to have borne adequate punishment due to the roughly 13 months served under difficult conditions at the MDC, which reportedly included constant suicide watch checks, restricted access to clean water, and poor quality food.
Diddy’s legal advisors also noted that he had “achieved sobriety for the first time in 25 years” and maintained an “incident-free record” in prison, alongside a lack of previous criminal offenses. They expressed that he has already witnessed the damage his arrest and conviction caused to his reputation and the negative repercussions for his business ventures, acknowledging the impact on his family.
The letters submitted to the court prior to sentencing complemented the September memo and included dozens of supportive statements from family, friends, and allies, including Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, his six oldest children, and ex-partners Yung Miami and Sarah Chapman.
“Behind the scenes, he has always been loving, genuine, supportive, and incredibly motivating,” shared Yung Miami, age 31, in her letter to the judge. She expressed the importance of highlighting the lesser-known positive aspects of Sean’s character, stating, “He has enriched the lives of many, opened doors to opportunities, and has shown profound love and care.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). For anyone experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you suspect human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 1-888-373-7888.
