In a significant legal move, hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has formally appealed his 50-month federal prison sentence, branding it "unfairly stiff" and challenging the judge's authority in the case. The appeal, a substantial 84-page document, was filed on December 24, 2025, seeking immediate release for the incarcerated music icon.
Core Arguments in the Appeal
The appeal, as reported by Variety, contends that Judge Aran Subramanian's sentence "has far exceeded the previous range for a defendant with a grievous record like Mr. Combs." Combs' legal team, led by attorney Alexandra AE Shapiro, argues that the judge effectively acted as a "thirteenth juror," overriding the jury's verdict to impose a harsher punishment.
The filing strongly criticises Judge Subramanian for claiming Combs coerced and exploited former girlfriends for sex, a finding that directly contradicts the jury's decision. It further highlights that in comparable cases, defendants typically receive sentences of less than 15 months, even where coercion is proven—a factor not established in Combs' trial.
Background of the Conviction and Sentencing
Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. However, he was acquitted of the more severe charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. During his sentencing in October 2025, Judge Subramanian referenced a 2016 incident where Combs assaulted his former girlfriend, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, stating this history of violence against women was a key factor in the sentence.
"The same power that you used to abuse women, you can use to defend them," Judge Subramanian told Combs, according to court reports. The appeal also revisits Combs' contention that his actions and the filming of sexual encounters should be protected under the First Amendment, a argument previously dismissed by the judge.
Current Status and What's Next
Currently, Sean 'Diddy' Combs is serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey. His projected release date, without the appeal's success, is May 2028. The appeal now places the case back into the legal spotlight, questioning the boundaries of judicial discretion versus jury verdicts in high-profile federal trials. The outcome will set a notable precedent for sentencing guidelines in similar cases.
