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Judge Arun Subramanian, overseeing Sean Combs’, also known as Diddy, sex trafficking and racketeering case, has refused to grant the rapper bail as he awaits his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.
Subramanian stated that Combs has not sufficiently proven with clear and convincing evidence that he does not pose a “danger to any person or the community.”
Diddy fell to his knees and prayed in the courtroom after being acquitted on Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have resulted in a lifelong imprisonment for one of hip-hop’s most prominent figures.
The two severe charges carry a mandatory sentence of 15 years and a maximum of a lifetime in prison. However, the rapper was found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offenses.
The jury convicted Combs of two counts of transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution, which carry a maximum of a 10-year prison sentence.
The three-time Grammy award winner was found guilty of flying individuals across the country, including his girlfriends and hired male sex workers, to engage in sexual activities.
This contravened the 115-year-old federal law known as the Mann Act, which initially prohibited transporting women or girls across state lines for “prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose.”
It was subsequently revised to be gender-neutral and includes any sexual activity “for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.”
Diddy’s legal team argued, however, that based on federal sentencing guidelines, he would likely face around two years in prison. Combs has been in custody since his arrest in September, and this time will be deducted from any future sentence.
Prosecutors suggested, considering Combs’ history of violence, aggressive behavior, and past abuse, that the guidelines would recommend a minimum of four to five years.
A hearing has been scheduled by the judge for 8 July to discuss the sentencing proceedings. Subramanian has suggested 3 October as the date for Diddy’s final sentencing, with the rapper’s defense requesting a swift decision.
Additional sources • AP
