Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced on Friday to more than four years in prison following his July conviction on prostitution-related charges.
The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul was found guilty of arranging paid escorts to travel across state lines for drug-fuelled sexual performances involving Combs’ girlfriends.
Combs, who founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with elevating hip-hop in American culture, was acquitted of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges, which could have carried a life sentence. He pleaded not guilty and plans to appeal the conviction. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court.
During the two-month trial, prosecutors argued Combs coerced two former girlfriends – singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known as Jane – into participating in performances through threats and physical abuse. Surveillance footage showed Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in 2016 after a performance. Jane testified that Combs attacked her last year and pressured her into sexual acts with a male escort.
Combs’ lawyers acknowledged past physical abuse but maintained the women consented to some of the sexual performances. Both women testified that they sometimes participated out of love and a desire to please him.
Combs’ defence argued for a 14-month sentence, noting he taught a six-week business and personal development course for fellow inmates at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, called “Free Game with Diddy.” Inmates wrote essays on lessons learned from Combs’ life. Lawyers also stressed his acquittal on sex trafficking and racketeering should limit how his abuse played into sentencing.
Prosecutors pushed for a longer term, citing federal guidelines that call for stricter penalties when offences involve threats or bodily harm. They pointed out that others convicted of violent, prostitution-related crimes regularly receive significant prison terms.
Pakistan says it has killed 26 militants in strikes on terrorist hideouts along the Afghan border, marking the most significant escalation between the...
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has found that xAI’s Grok chatbot and its parent company X Corp. violated federal privacy law by launching an AI ima...
China's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his immediate family...
The United States launched overnight strikes on military targets across Iran, as President Donald Trump warns of further attacks unless a peace deal i...
Conditions of a climate pattern El Niño have officially developed and are expected to strengthen through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2026-27,...
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has found that xAI’s Grok chatbot and its parent company X Corp. violated federal privacy law by launching an AI image-generation tool without adequate safeguards, enabling the creation and distribution of non-consensual sexualised deepfakes.
China's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his immediate family, accusing him of repeatedly making remarks that undermined China's "legitimate interests" and bilateral relations.
The United States launched overnight strikes on military targets across Iran, as President Donald Trump warns of further attacks unless a peace deal is reached. Iran responded by targeting U.S. bases in the Gulf and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Conditions of a climate pattern El Niño have officially developed and are expected to strengthen through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2026-27, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center. The forecast raises concerns of extreme weather, agricultural issues and record global temperatures.
Mexico and South Africa meet in Thursday’s World Cup opener in Mexico City, with both teams approaching the match from very different positions but facing their own pressures.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry says 19 citizens have been repatriated following a deadly drone attack on two cargo ships in the Sea of Azov on 5 June.
The Pakistani city of Karachi is struggling under severe heat and humidity as the country enters a prolonged heatwave period. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of above-normal temperatures across much of the country between 7 and 12 June.
Ukraine's military said it struck a Russian "shadow fleet" tanker in the Black Sea as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt Moscow's energy and logistics networks. The move underscores Kyiv's focus on targeting maritime assets it says are used to bypass sanctions on Russian oil exports.
U.S. forces say they have completed strikes on Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile attacks on an American base in Jordan, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two sides.
Fuel stations across the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula ran dry on Thursday as Ukraine stepped up attacks on supply routes to the region.
Pakistan says it has killed 26 militants in strikes on terrorist hideouts along the Afghan border, marking the most significant escalation between the neighbouring countries since a China-brokered diplomatic effort helped ease tensions earlier this year.
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has found that xAI’s Grok chatbot and its parent company X Corp. violated federal privacy law by launching an AI image-generation tool without adequate safeguards, enabling the creation and distribution of non-consensual sexualised deepfakes.
China's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his immediate family, accusing him of repeatedly making remarks that undermined China's "legitimate interests" and bilateral relations.
Conditions of a climate pattern El Niño have officially developed and are expected to strengthen through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2026-27, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center. The forecast raises concerns of extreme weather, agricultural issues and record global temperatures.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment