Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Release Date Revealed Weeks After His Sentencing

by

Sean “Diddy” Combs is inching closer towards freedom.

The hip-hop executive’s release date from prison has been confirmed while he continues serving time for two convictions linked to prostitution.

Sean Combs, 55, will be released from prison on May 8, 2028, after being sentenced to just over four years (50 months) on October 3rd. This comes after he was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering charges in July, according to records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons obtained by TopMob News. He is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

When deciding on Combs’ sentence—taking into account the year he’s already spent in jail since his September 2024 arrest—Judge Arun Subramanian stated that the prosecution’s suggestion of 135 months was too harsh. However, he also felt that the defense’s request for only 14 months wasn’t long enough, according to NBC News.

Subramanian argued that a harsh sentence is necessary to discourage others from similar abuse. He believes a significant punishment will send a strong message to both abusers and those they harm.

However, Combs’ lawyer, Teny Geragos, was unhappy with the judge’s ruling, pointing out that her client had been acquitted of the most severe accusations.

Speaking to ABC News shortly after the sentencing, she emphasized that the jury clearly found him not guilty on both the sex trafficking and RICO charges. She stated simply, ‘Not guilty means not guilty.’

You know, working closely with Sean Combs through his recent legal challenges, I’ve really seen a transformation. I can honestly say, after all the time we spent preparing for court, he’s a different person now – truly changed for the better.

Alexandra Shapiro, the lawyer heading the appeal of Combs’ sentence, said the judge’s decision didn’t align with what the jury decided.

According to ABC News, she stated that the judge essentially acted like an extra member of the jury. The sentence handed down seemed to be based on behavior the jury had already decided wasn’t forceful enough to convict, as they found Mr. Combs not guilty of coercion.

For more details about Combs’ trial, keep reading.

At the hearing on October 3, 2025, the judge sentenced him to over four years in prison—specifically, 50 months—along with a $500,000 fine and five years of supervised release.

The musician publicly apologized to Cassie Ventura and Jane, identifying them as victims, during his sentencing hearing on October 3rd. This was the first time he had spoken about the case in court.

Combs acknowledged that the impact of his past domestic violence will stay with him indefinitely. He described his behavior as ‘disgusting, shameful, and sick,’ attributing it to drug use and a lack of control. He stated he needed help but didn’t receive it, and he takes full responsibility without offering any excuses.

He went on to share how the case has impacted him.

He explained that he was simply doing his best, but got carried away with his ambitions and pride. As a result of his choices, he lost his freedom, couldn’t be present for his children or care for his mother, and lost everything he’d built – his businesses, his career, and his good name. Most importantly, he lost his own self-respect, leaving him feeling utterly broken and stripped bare. He admitted to intensely disliking himself at this moment.

Judge Arun Subramanian set Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentencing for October 3, 2025. The judge also refused to grant Combs bail before the sentencing, explaining that his history of violent behavior meant he should stay in jail.

Following the trial, after Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges involving his former partners, Cassie and “Jane Doe,” but convicted of transporting them for the purpose of prostitution, his attorney issued a statement regarding the outcome.

Attorney Douglas Wigdor stated on July 2nd that the legal proceedings began when his client, Cassie Ventura, bravely filed a civil lawsuit in November 2023. While the jury didn’t find enough evidence to convict Combs of sex trafficking, her actions allowed them to find him guilty of transporting someone for the purpose of prostitution. Wigdor emphasized that by sharing her story, Cassie has significantly impacted both the entertainment world and the pursuit of justice.

Acknowledging the charges Combs denied, Wigdor emphasized, “We firmly stand with and support our client, who demonstrated remarkable bravery during this process.”

Wigdor also commended Ventura for her testimony, as she was one of 34 witnesses during the nearly month-long trial involving Combs.

He stated that she demonstrated remarkable courage and shed light on the harmful behavior of influential men, as well as the decades of unchecked misconduct. He emphasized that this case clearly shows the need for significant change, and they remain committed to supporting survivors.

After learning he was found not guilty on three of the five charges against him, Combs—who could have faced life in prison if convicted on everything—dropped to his knees and bowed his head in what appeared to be a prayer, according to NBC News reporters who were present in the courtroom.

According to reports, Combs’ family members were in court and applauded the outcome of the case. His lawyers embraced each other, and Combs shared a hug with his attorney, Brian Steel.

After three days of discussion, the jury of twelve reached a decision in the sex trafficking trial against Combs on July 2nd. They found him guilty on two counts related to transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution, involving both a former girlfriend named Ventura and another woman known only as “Jane.”

Sean Combs, who maintained his innocence, was acquitted of one charge of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.

The jury informed Judge Arun Subramanian that they couldn’t agree on the racketeering charge before delivering their final decision, citing firmly held differing opinions. The judge urged them to keep discussing the case. They ultimately reached a verdict a few hours after resuming deliberations the next day.

In her closing arguments to the jury, prosecutor Christy Slavik stated that Sean “Diddy” Combs used intimidation, threats, and force to achieve his goals. She spent nearly five hours presenting her case.

She explained that he was incredibly stubborn and always got his way. He considered everything and everyone around him as existing solely for his benefit.

Slavik highlighted two instances of alleged abuse by Combs: a physical assault on his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in 2016, and a more recent alleged assault in 2024 on a girlfriend who is being referred to as “Jane” during the trial.

Although eight years apart, these two events are connected and part of a larger narrative. They represent different parts of the same story – the story of Sean Combs and the criminal organization he ran with the help of his close associates.

The criminal organization repeatedly fulfilled the defendant’s wishes using a consistent pattern of violence, intimidation, and control, she explained. The defendant relied on the silence of victims and the power of shame to conceal his actions, believing his celebrity, money, and influence meant he was untouchable by the law.

Slavik claimed that during the trial, Combs relied on a large team of assistants who were dedicated to fulfilling his every need, bolstering his image, and shielding him from any negative publicity.

The prosecutors asked the court for permission to change some details of their arguments about the attempted arson and kidnapping charges.

Despite still being charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking – including accusations of kidnapping and arson – prosecutors have dropped specific legal instructions related to attempted kidnapping in both California and New York, attempted arson in California, and assisting with sex trafficking. They informed the court of these changes in a letter dated June 24th.

The government stated it hopes that using simpler language will make the instructions easier to follow and prevent misunderstandings.

Combs told JudgeSubramanian that he will not take the stand during his sex trafficking trial.

The judge made it clear that whether or not the defendant chose to testify, it couldn’t be used as evidence of guilt – neither by the jury nor by anyone else. His decision not to testify would have no bearing on whether he was considered guilty.

Combs admitted he discussed with his team whether or not to testify, but insisted the final decision was entirely his own.

“I’ve thought this through carefully, and this is what I’ve decided,” he told the judge. “It’s my choice, and I’m standing by it.”

As a seasoned observer of legal proceedings, I’m hearing that both sides in the Combs case anticipate pretty lengthy closing statements. Teny Garagos, representing Combs, informed the judge that she and the prosecution each foresee needing at least four hours to present their final arguments. That gives you a sense of just how complex this case is!

After several days of testimony from Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello, the prosecution rested its case on June 24th. Combs’ defense team announced they will not call any witnesses and will instead base their argument on the evidence already presented.

During his June 23rd testimony, the jury saw explicit videos presented as evidence. These videos, as reported by NBC News journalists present in the courtroom, seemed to be recordings of events referred to as “freak offs” connected to Combs.

As a lifestyle expert focused on digital well-being, I want to share what came up in this case. The agent investigating found fifty explicit videos dating back to 2021 and 2022. However, the jury only actually saw two of those files – they were shown them privately, using headphones and individual screens, to maintain decorum and focus.

In voice messages to his former aide Kristina Khorram, played on June 23rd, Sean Combs listed specific requests he made while staying at a hotel in November 2021. These included asking for more baby oil, which he said he often used when experiencing intense emotional outbursts.

Honestly, dealing with logistics can be so stressful! I was just telling my team, ‘Please, give me a quick heads-up before you head over – a simple call makes all the difference.’ And then, completely exasperated, I realized I was actually out and about, and muttered under my breath about having to load up a vehicle with a huge order – twenty bottles, to be exact! It’s a reminder that even when you’re organized, things can still get a little chaotic, right?

Khorram also mentioned she was staying at the hotel one extra night, and let them know the baby oil was just outside the door.

Okay, so I’ve been going through all the texts, and it’s insane! Apparently, his ex-employee was prepping an IV drip for him and Jane. Can you believe it? One of the texts said he actually used it to recover after some… intense competitions – they called them ‘freak offs’! I mean, seriously, an IV drip to bounce back from that? It’s just… wow. I’ve read it like a million times, and it still blows my mind.

She also made sure that there were Plan-B pills, an emergency contraceptive, in his nightstand.

As a longtime supporter of Casandra ‘Ventura’ Ventura, it was heartbreaking to see the text messages between her and Sean Combs revealed in court. Through those messages, she bravely and openly shared exactly how much pain and suffering she was experiencing as a result of the abuse she claims he inflicted upon her. It was incredibly difficult to watch, but I’m proud of her for speaking her truth.

In March 2017, after Combs suggested a break in their on-again, off-again relationship (which lasted from 2007 to 2018), Ventura responded that she didn’t want one. She explained that she didn’t want to be criticized for standing up for herself and that Combs made her feel unimportant.

In another instance, she further accused her ex of physically assaulting her. 

I loved him so much, but it was terrifying. He’d get into trouble the instant I wasn’t looking, and then he’d just… lose control, even physically hurting me. I wrote to him back in May, telling him I was done. I was thirty years old and couldn’t take it anymore. I told him it wasn’t a game, and that the night before had been so awful, I felt completely disconnected from it all. It was like watching something happen to someone else, and I realized how much I still cared, how brightly I still shone even through all the pain.

I’ve been following this case closely, and the testimony from Diddy’s former assistant, Brendan Paul, was really something. He stated under oath that, between 2022 and 2024 while working for Diddy, he bought drugs for him several times. He specifically mentioned things like marijuana, 2C, cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy. It’s pretty shocking to hear these details come out.

Okay, so it was this whole system, right? We’d just text our guy – seriously, the guy – and he’d show up at either my place or, like, wherever we were. It was so easy. I met him through texts and calls at first, can you believe it? Honestly, I’ve gotten in trouble for so much stuff – even getting fired a bunch of times! – like, once for forgetting my Lululemon fanny pack, which is just… a whole thing. But this was different, this was the connection.

However, Paul vehemently denied being a “drug mule” for the rap mogul.

On June 18th, Judge Subramanian ended court for the day because one of the jurors was unable to return due to illness. Court will also be closed on June 19th for the Juneteenth holiday.

The judge announced that a juror is ill and unable to attend today. They experienced dizziness and had to leave. Because this juror is a regular member of the jury, the judge stated they won’t be able to continue with the trial today.

The judge acknowledged it’s unknown if the juror’s dizziness, nausea, and headaches – caused by a sudden bout of vertigo – will pass quickly or become a lasting problem, but stated they would keep the situation under review.

Because of the Juneteenth holiday on June 19th, Judge Subramanian announced that the trial would continue on June 20th with a shorter schedule, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Just after Judge Subramanian removed Juror No. 6 due to inconsistent answers about where they live, another juror is now potentially facing removal. This juror reportedly had an inappropriate conversation about the case with a past coworker. The judge questioned the juror and asked to examine their phone, according to NBC News.

By the end of the court session on June 16th, a decision about whether to dismiss the member hadn’t been reached.

Kanye West showed up at the New York City courthouse on June 13th to support Sean “Diddy” Combs. West was there for about half an hour and spent some time in the waiting area, but he didn’t go inside the courtroom itself. The courtroom is reserved for Combs’ family, lawyers, the press, and members of the public who have been waiting in line for hours.

Jane remembered a fight they had after she took a trip to Las Vegas with a fellow rapper and his wife.

She stated that this behavior escalated to secretly watching sexual activity. Specifically, she described how she, along with Combs, would hire a sex worker named Anton, and during one trip, they watched him engage in sexual activity with a woman in a hotel room as a group.

Jane informed Combs’ lawyer, Geragos, that the music executive was angry because he believed she had gone to a sexually suggestive event with another man.

On the 21st day of the Combs trial, a prosecutor named Maurene Comey told the court that the government wants to dismiss one of the jurors.

She told Judge Subramanian, just before the jury came in, that they were hesitant to submit the letter because it seemed dishonest and raised significant concerns for them.

Defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro – noting that Juror No. 6 is one of the Black jurors – requested a day or two to submit a written response and review relevant legal precedents.

Judge Subramanian stated he would postpone addressing any practical issues regarding the juror until a ruling is reached.

 

On June 10th, Jane and Garagos had a heated discussion where Garagos implied the witness was exchanging sexual favors for expensive gifts.

Attorney Mark Geragos reviewed text messages from November 2021 between Jane Doe and Sean “Diddy” Combs. In these messages, the witness expressed distress over Combs having relationships with other women. She specifically asked him if he had given one of these women a Chanel bag after they had sex.

Jane said that she didn’t get a Chanel purse from Combs, telling Garagos that she “got trauma.”

When the attorney asked what a Bottega bag was, she replied, “I’m sure you have one.”

And when Geragos asked how much the item costs, Jane asked, “How much does my body cost?”

Jane was granted a 10-minute break following the exchange.

Jane stated that in 2022, after researching their relationship, she came to believe Combs engaged in, or was comfortable with, non-monogamy – specifically, finding enjoyment in watching her with other partners. She used the term ‘cuckhold’ to describe this dynamic.

She explained that the research helped her better understand why people enjoyed watching their partners with other men. She was trying to fully explore all the reasons behind that enjoyment.

The witness suggested that Combs’ interest in “hotel nights” – which closely resembled Ventura’s private encounters – might stem from Combs exploring his own sexuality.

She explained that some individuals may have hidden curiosities they feel embarrassed to explore personally, and instead live vicariously through another person’s experiences.

Jane testified that she and Combs had hired an escort named Paul several times, and she’d nicknamed him “Trifecta” because she felt their sexual chemistry was as strong as a winning basketball team.

“I was Kobe Bryant and Paul was Shaq [O’Neil],” she told jurors. “Combs was Michael Jordan.”

She said Paul was “really nice,” and explained that if she were going to engage with sex workers, she preferred someone who felt warm and kind.

Jane stated that the relationship between Combs and Khorram caused problems in her own romantic involvement with the music executive.

Jane explained that Khorram was constantly with Sean, which created problems in their relationship. She felt Khorram had strong feelings for her, and that those feelings affected how Sean behaved towards her.

On June 10th, Judge Subramanian rejected a request for a mistrial from Combs’ lawyers. They had argued that Ventura and her friend, Bryana Bongolan, falsely claimed Combs had threatened to drop Bongolan from a 17th-floor balcony.

His attorneys, who had previously asked for a mistrial but were turned down, claimed in a court document that the prosecution acted improperly by presenting false testimony.

According to a letter submitted to the court, the government presented evidence in this case that they either knew was false or should have known was false. This evidence concerned their claim that Mr. Combs threatened Bryana Bongolan by holding her over the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment in September 2016. Because of this, the letter argues the court should declare a mistrial to prevent an unjust conviction.

Jane alleged that the rap mogul had beaten her for hours June 2024.

Jane stated that an argument with Combs started because he was seeing a much younger woman – 25 years his junior. This argument, she said, resulted in her calling him a deeply offensive name and physically pushing his head against their kitchen counter.

The witness testified that she hid in the main bedroom, and Sean Combs began to kick the door open—photos of the damaged door were shown as evidence. She claimed that while attempting to escape, Combs kicked her in the back of her leg, causing her to fall.

She told the prosecutors that he grabbed her in a chokehold and lifted her off the ground, making it hard to breathe. She said she was struggling to get away from him, and was forced to stand on her tiptoes.

Jane stated she fled her house and hid behind an outside wall for about two hours, hoping the person would go away, but they didn’t. She then said they both went back to his house, and she curled up in the backyard to shield herself while he reportedly attacked her.

Jane testified that the fight worsened when Combs supposedly began hitting her. She told the court he punched her in the head repeatedly and also kicked her, all while yelling.

She alleged that he told her that she was “trying to take him away from his kids and his family.” 

I was so scared when I told him to stop, I really pleaded with him, saying ‘No, I’m not, just leave me alone, please!’ But he didn’t listen. He just grabbed me – by my arm and pulled my hair – and started dragging me back towards the house. It was awful, being pulled like that by my hair and arm.

Jane reported that after the attack, she had two raised bumps about the size of golf balls on her forehead, and a black eye.

Jane stated that Homeland Security Investigations raided her home—which Sean Combs had paid for in March 2023—as well as several other properties owned by him. She explained that when agents arrived at her house, she immediately contacted Combs’ head of security to inform him of the raid.

In December 2023, Jane claimed a powerful person threatened to share intimate videos of them with the father of her child.

Jane testified that as her relationship with Combs fell apart, he told her he had nothing to lose by releasing the videos. She described the situation as a relentless series of pressuring phone calls.

I was really shaken up after what happened, so I immediately texted my friend, Khorram, to explain everything. Those texts ended up being used as evidence later on. In them, I told Khorram that Sean Combs was threatening to release the video, and I specifically said I felt like I’d been heavily drugged at the time. It was a terrifying experience, and I wanted to make sure someone knew exactly what was going on.

She explained she needed space from Combs to heal from the emotional pain he had inflicted.

Jane told the court that Khorram assured her that Combs would not use the footage.

In her testimony, Jane stated that certain claims made in Ventura’s November 2023 lawsuit – which was eventually settled – were similar to what she herself went through with Combs.

She told the jury, while crying, that she nearly passed out, and may have actually lost consciousness. She explained that three particular pages contained deeply upsetting details that mirrored what she was going through.

As a longtime follower, I was so moved when Jane, one of the women featured in the ‘hotel nights’ coverage, shared how it felt like she was reading her own life story. It was incredibly powerful to see her then take the brave step of reaching out to Combs directly via text, demanding answers and accountability. It really showed her strength and resilience.

After Ventura filed her lawsuit, she wrote, “Reading this feels like reliving my own sexual trauma. It’s sickening – it details the same drug-filled days and nights I experienced. You knew this was going to happen. You manipulated me and made me feel insane.”

The messages expressed feelings of disgust and being pressured into repeated sexual acts. The sender felt invalidated and dismissed regarding their trauma, leading to feelings of violation and the belief that what happened was sexual exploitation.

Combs then called Jane and secretly recorded their conversation, which was later used as evidence. During the call, he reminded her that they had shared experiences and stated he needed her present at a specific time.

Unaware she was being recorded, Jane told Combs she felt nauseous after reviewing Ventura’s documents.

Jane stated that during her involvement with Combs and male escorts in events called “Hotel Nights,” she frequently used ecstasy. However, on one occasion, she chose to abstain from drugs while engaging in sexual activity with three men.

She testified that she had been with several men earlier that night and had vomited. Sean then entered the room, reassuring her that she would feel better and suggesting they go outside.

Jane said that at the end of the night, she felt “absolutely terrible.”

Read More

2025-10-27 21:20