Summary
Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced in October 2025 to 4 years and 2 months (50 months) in federal prison for two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act. He was acquitted of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges. The viral claim is mostly true, but parts of it- like the 2029 release date and who was involved- were exaggerated or inaccurate.
Primary Sources
U.S. Department of Justice Press Release (Oct. 3, 2025): Confirms Combs’ 50-month sentence and clarifies one conviction involved Cassie Ventura while another involved a different individual.
All News | United States Department of Justice
Court Records (U.S. v. Combs, S.D.N.Y., Case 24-CR-857): Detail the charges, trial dates, and verdict—acquitted on major charges, convicted on two transportation counts.
Public Access to Court Electronic Records | PACER: Federal Court Records
Secondary Source
BBC News (Oct. 3, 2025): Provided case background and confirmed the 4-year, 2-month sentence.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs sentenced to over 4 years in prison
Source Bias or Interests
- DOJ and Court Documents: Objective but legalistic tone; focus on facts and charges.
- Reuters, AP, BBC: Professional, neutral reporting but may simplify case details for readability.
- Social Media Posts: Often combine rumor and verified facts, causing distortions in details like release dates.
Evidence Supporting the Claim
- DOJ and multiple reputable outlets confirm Combs’ 50-month federal sentence.
- Court documents verify convictions on two prostitution-transportation counts.
- The timeline (lawsuit in 2023, arrest in 2024, trial in 2025) is accurate and consistent across reports.
Evidence Undermining the Claim
- The claim that Combs will be released in 2029 is false- he received credit for time served, meaning likely release in 2028.
- Only one count involved Cassie Ventura; the other did not.
- Some viral posts blend his civil lawsuit with his criminal conviction, leading to confusion.
Final Assessment:
The claim is mostly true- Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in federal prison for prostitution-related offenses, but the viral version slightly misstates the timeline and who the charges involved.