A New York judge has ruled that Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain behind bars while awaiting sentencing, following his conviction on two federal charges related to sex trafficking. The hip-hop mogul, who was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, was denied bail and will continue to be held at the Brooklyn federal prison where he’s been detained for nearly a year.
The decision came shortly after a jury found Combs guilty of the lesser two of the five charges listed in a federal indictment. His lead defence attorney argued that Combs should be released immediately, noting that he had not been convicted of the more serious offences originally brought against him.
But prosecutors strongly opposed the motion, painting Combs as both a flight risk and a potential meddler. They insisted that even while incarcerated, Combs posed a risk and warned the court of his influence and long track record of disturbing behaviour.
They also made it clear they would be pushing for a tough sentence, potentially up to 20 years in prison. Judge Subramanian, who presided over the case, cited Combs’ documented history of violence, especially toward women, as a key factor in denying his release.
“As prosecutors undoubtedly showed during his trial, he has a decades-long propensity for violence, particularly toward women, and it takes place in private,” the judge said.
During the trial, jurors were shown video footage of Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura, his former partner, more than a dozen times. The courtroom also heard harrowing testimony about another violent incident involving Combs and his girlfriend, referred to in court as “Jane,” which allegedly took place in 2024. Notably, this incident occurred after Combs had already been indicted and his properties had been raided by federal authorities.
As sentencing looms, the world watches one of hip-hop’s most influential figures face the consequences of what prosecutors say is a long-standing pattern of abuse and criminal conduct.