Hip-hop mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs was jailed for four years and two months on prostitution, racketeering and violence-related charges, all offences that the fallen star described as “disgusting”, “shameful” and “sick”.
He was convicted of flying people across the US for sexual encounters he called “freak-offs”, including his girlfriends and male sex workers
The judge said a lengthy sentence was needed for deterrence and that he was unconvinced that if Combs was released, these crimes won’t happen again.
The 55-year-old star was convicted in July of flying people across state lines for drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters. Jurors acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have carried a life sentence.
According to the BBC, as he sentenced the hip-hop mogul, the judge said the court had seen “massive” amounts of evidence against Combs and a significant sentence was required.
Combs earlier told the court his actions were “disgusting, shameful and sick” as he pleaded for mercy and apologised to the victims and his children.
Three months ago, the BBC report continues, Sean “Diddy” Combs fell to his knees in a Manhattan courtroom after a New York jury acquitted him of charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
On Friday, a quieter version of the hip-hop mogul sat emotionless, still in his chair, looking down as a judge sentenced him to more than four years in prison.
In July, 12 New Yorkers acquitted Combs, 55, of sex trafficking and racketeering charges – which carried the potential of a life sentence – but found him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution involving his two ex-girlfriends, Cassandra Ventura and another lady called “Jane”.
On Friday, Judge Arun Subramanian told a downcast Combs that his crimes and the abuse of his ex-girlfriends warranted 50 months in prison and a $500,000 fine.
As the judge described how Combs used his fame and power to “subjugate” his victims, the music mogul did not look up, remaining expressionless for the judge’s 20-minute speech.
Afterwards, the rapper turned around to look at an entourage of mroe than 30 family members and friends packed into the courtroom behind him.
He appeared to mouth a message to them: “I love you, I’m sorry.”
This sentence is meant to send a signal to the public, Judge Subramanian said.
It is “a message to abusers and victims alike”.
When victims come forward about crimes of abuse, they should trust that sharing their stories can lead to concrete actions, he said.
And for abusers, it should serve as a “deterrent”.
He also orders Combs to pay a $500,000 fine.
