Federal prosecutors are demanding more than a decade behind bars for music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs following his conviction on prostitution-related charges.
Prosecutors filed their sentencing recommendation with a New York federal judge, requesting at least 11 years and three months in prison for the 55-year-old Bad Boy Records founder. Breitbart reported that the filing included letters from accusers describing how his violence and demands impacted their lives.
The government characterized Combs as "unrepentant" and said he now argues that his victims should shoulder the blame for his actions. Defense attorneys have requested a sentence of no more than 14 months, with sentencing scheduled for Friday.
Combs was convicted in July on two charges for violating the Mann Act, which prohibits interstate commerce related to prostitution. He arranged paid sexual encounters between his girlfriends and male sex workers at hotels and residences where he directed the activities.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and the elaborate events were often filmed by Combs himself. The same jury acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have resulted in a life sentence.
Combs has remained jailed since his conviction and faces sentencing this Friday before Judge Arun Subramanian. The prosecution argues that his crimes warrant sentences over ten years based on similar cases involving defendants who engaged in violence and intimidation.
Defense attorneys submitted presentence arguments claiming Combs has suffered enough during his nearly 13 months behind bars. They argue he should be freed soon, citing his time in a Brooklyn federal lockup under constant suicide watch.
The defense team says Combs became a changed man in detention, learning to react calmly to threats rather than violently. They cited an incident where a fellow inmate confronted him with a makeshift weapon, but Combs responded peacefully.
Defense lawyers also argued that Combs realized his overuse of drugs, including prescribed medications, contributed to the violent acts he participated in. They portrayed his incarceration as a transformative experience that demonstrated his rehabilitation.
Prosecutors emphasized that Combs should not be viewed as a victim, stating the court should focus on the real effects his conduct had on actual victims. Two former girlfriends testified at trial about feeling forced to participate in drug-fueled sexual encounters with male sex workers.
R&B singer Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura described being beaten by Combs when she displeased him during their decade-long relationship. Another ex-girlfriend, testifying under the pseudonym "Jane," said she felt pressured to perform sexually and was once put in a chokehold and punched.
Cassie testified while nine months pregnant about what she called "the most traumatic and horrifying chapter" of her life. She described how Combs used violence, threats, substances, and career control to trap her in over a decade of abuse starting when she was 19.
Cassie wrote in her victim impact letter that Combs controlled her "like a puppet" and that sexual acts became her full-time job. She described the events as degrading and disgusting, leaving her with infections, illnesses and physical exhaustion before he demanded repetition.
The singer continues to suffer from nightmares and flashbacks on a daily basis, requiring psychological care to cope with the trauma. She has moved her family out of the New York area and maintains a low profile due to safety concerns.
Cassie expressed worry that Combs or his associates will retaliate against her and her family, stating she fears "his first actions will be swift retribution" if he walks free. Judge Subramanian has twice denied Combs' bail requests, including a $50 million proposal, citing flight risk and public safety concerns.