JUST IN: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Learns Sentence After Marathon Trial

Rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to four years in prison after he was found guilty by jurors on prostitution charges, but was ultimately acquitted on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking following a marathon trial that took place this past summer.

Combs, 55, has remained in federal custody almost entirely since he was arrested last year, and has continued to remain behind bars after he was found guilty earlier this year. His sentencing hearing in Manhattan federal court began at 10 a.m. Friday and continued late into the day, as attorneys, six of his children, a reverend and the defendant himself addressed the judge, the New York Post reported.

Federal prosecutors had urged Judge Arun Subramanian to sentence the “unrepentant” Combs to more than 11 years, while the rap mogul’s legal team asked for a sentence of 14 months due to time served.

ABC News reported that Combs sat emotionless when the judge issued his sentence. His hands were clasped in his lap and he dropped his head slightly. The judge thanked Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, an an unnamed witness for their testimony in the case.

“You stood up to power,” the judge said. “The number of people who you reached is incalculable.”

Subramanian had previously ruled that the Bad Boy Records would pose a danger to the public if released ahead of sentencing, citing the violence Combs unleashed on his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The judge further noted that Diddy’s legal team admitted to the domestic violence allegations but said the “confession was unnecessary because defendant’s violence was starkly depicted in the 2016 video at the InterContinental Hotel.”

The infamous footage in question shows Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in the hotel hallway. “For present purposes, the defendant is unable to meet his burden,” Subramanian said.

The judge further told the defense that they failed to adequately prove there wasn’t a danger to the community given the evidence shared during trial. “Under these circumstances, it’s impossible for the defendant to show he poses no danger to any person,” Subramanian added.

In addition to the criminal proceedings, Combs is facing a number of civil lawsuits filed by both men and women accusing him of sexual misconduct and rape. One of the suits, filed by Chicago record producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr. claimed that Combs used him to acquire drugs and prostitutes to “perform sex acts to the pleasure of Mr. Combs.”

Another lawsuit has been filed by a woman accusing Combs of dangling her over the edge of a balcony on the 17th floor of a hotel.

Charges in the criminal trial largely stemmed from his notorious “freak off” parties, where attendees would often allegedly engage in illicit drug use and sex acts. Prosecutors had argued that participants were forced into the events against their will, though they were ultimately unable to convince the jury.

“While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed,” Doug Wigdor, an attorney for  Ventura, said in a statement Friday.  “We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many,” Wigdor added.