Sean "Diddy" Combs Faces Sentencing for Federal Prostitution Charges Following July Conviction

Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing his sentencing on Friday for criminal charges that could result in years of imprisonment.

Combs was found guilty in July of violating the federal Mann Act by transporting individuals across state lines for sexual encounters, including his girlfriends and male sex workers.

The 55-year-old was acquitted of more severe charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, which could have resulted in a life sentence.

Prosecutors are recommending over 11 years of imprisonment for his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Meanwhile, Combs' defense team is arguing for his immediate release, claiming the prosecution's proposed sentence is disproportionate to the offense.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who will determine the sentence, has previously rejected bail requests twice, suggesting Combs is unlikely to be released soon. The rapper has been detained at a federal facility in Brooklyn since his arrest one year ago.

The sentencing follows a nearly two-month trial that featured testimony from women describing experiences of being beaten, threatened, sexually assaulted, and blackmailed by Combs.

Former girlfriend R&B singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura testified that Combs forced her to engage in sexual activities with strangers hundreds of times during their decade-long relationship.

The jury was repeatedly shown video evidence of Combs physically assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway following one of these sexual episodes, which she referred to as "freak-offs" during her four days of testimony.

Another witness, testifying under the pseudonym "Jane," described experiencing violence and feeling obligated to engage sexually with male sex workers at drug-fueled "hotel nights" while Combs observed and sometimes recorded.

To support their racketeering case, prosecutors presented additional witnesses who testified about violent incidents. A former personal assistant alleged rape by Combs. One of Cassie's friends testified that Combs dangled her from a 17th-floor balcony. Rapper Kid Cudi stated that Combs broke into his home after discovering his relationship with Cassie.

Although the jury acquitted Combs of racketeering, Judge Subramanian may still consider this testimony in determining the sentence.

The judge is also reviewing letters submitted by Combs and some of his accusers.

In his letter to the judge on Thursday, Combs promised never to commit another crime if released, stating, "The old me died in jail and a new version of me was reborn."

In her letter, Cassie described Combs as a manipulative abuser who has "no interest in changing or becoming better."

"He will always be the same cruel, power-hungry, manipulative man that he is," she wrote.

A former personal assistant who alleged Combs raped her in 2010 requested that Judge Subramanian deliver a sentence "that takes into account the ongoing danger my abuser poses to me, and to others." The former assistant, who testified under the pseudonym "Mia," is expected to speak at Friday's sentencing.

According to court filings, Combs will address the court. His defense team also plans to present a 15-minute video.

Combs' lawyers maintain that the sexual encounters were consensual and that imprisonment has accelerated his sobriety and forced him to learn from his misconduct. They argue that additional incarceration is unnecessary as he has already been sufficiently punished.

At a court hearing last week, Combs appeared optimistic, telling his mother and children that he is "getting closer to going home."