Diddy faces sentencing as family floods court with letters urging release ahead of October ruling

Manhattan federal court is poised to sentence Sean 'Diddy' Combs on two Mann Act counts related to transporting women for prostitution, with a decision set for Oct. 3. Lawyers for the music mogul have urged the judge to impose no more than 14 months in prison, followed by supervised release and treatment, arguing that the jury’s verdict on the most serious charges signaled innocence of racketeering and sex-trafficking allegations for which he was acquitted. Prosecutors, however, have signaled they will seek a substantially longer sentence than the defense’s request and will submit their recommendations ahead of the sentencing date.

A central element of the defense filing is a richly documented outpouring from Combs’s inner circle. The submission includes 65 letters spanning 133 pages, many from family members, friends, former colleagues, and others affected by the case. Included are letters from all six of Combs’s adult children as well as his mother, Janice Combs, urging the court to grant him more time with his family and a path to return home. Dana Tran, the mother of Combs’s youngest child, Love, wrote about the toll his absence has taken on Love, describing Love’s confusion over why she can only see her father while he is in prison and detailing a bond she says is real and irreplaceable. The letters claim the family has endured a year of lies, discrimination, and dehumanization, and that their worlds were shattered by the arrest last September.

Among the signatories are his 85-year-old mother, Janice Combs, who wrote that she may not have much time left and pleaded for her son’s freedom before her death. She described their separation as excruciatingly difficult and painful, noting her health has deteriorated after multiple brain surgeries and ongoing diabetes, and she expressed a wish to spend the last years of her life with her son. The filing also notes that Combs has reportedly sobered up in prison after years of substance use and argues that his family – including Janice and seven of his children – rely on him for support and stability.

In addition to Janice, the letters from his children portray close, personal bonds. Justin Combs, the eldest son, wrote that life has been incomplete since his father’s arrest and described the ordeal as a nightmare for the family. Chance Combs, one of the twins, and D’Lila and Jessie Combs wrote about how their world was upended on Sept. 16, 2024—the day their father was arrested—and expressed a desire for him to be home for the holidays. Quincy Brown, another son, recalled how Diddy stepped in as a father figure during formative years, framing his involvement as pivotal and enduring. Christian Combs, 27, offered a more forceful defense, stating the family has endured a year of lies and dehumanization and imploring that his father be released.

The filing also includes letters from other supporters, including former It girl Normandie Keith and Claudine De Niro (the former spouse of Robert De Niro’s son Raphael). One letter from an associate, Derek Osorio—who goes by Chuck Bone—described Diddy’s actions during a deadly charity basketball event decades earlier, portraying him as heroic for helping victims that day. That depiction stands in contrast to the families of the victims, who have argued in civil matters that Diddy did not apologize for the tragedy. A letter from E. Shay Omolabi, who said he knew Diddy since the 1990s, offered a lighthearted note about not being invited to a party rather than a direct plea for leniency.

The court filing indicates the defense is asking for a sentence limited to roughly 14 months, with supervised release and mandatory drug treatment and therapy. They argued that the jury’s verdict on the most serious charges reflects a meaningful, albeit contested, judgment that should guide a lenient sentence. Prosecutors, meanwhile, are expected to urge a longer sentence, given the nature of the charges and the government’s position on accountability in this case. The government has signaled it will seek a substantial sentence, with discussions of up to a two-decade maximum previously mentioned in court discussions, though the final request will align with the judge’s determination and the specifics of the sentencing guidelines.

The Diddy trial has been a focal point of entertainment coverage for months. It featured testimony from former girlfriends who described coercive sexual conduct and the use of drugs in the context of relationship dynamics, along with extensive evidence about private parties known as “freak offs.” The defense acknowledged some domestic violence but contended that the charges did not prove criminal conduct. Jurors convicted Combs on two Mann Act counts while acquitting him of the racketeering and sex-trafficking charges that prosecutors argued would amount to a heavy sentence if proven.

Outside observers watched as the courtroom played host to a roster of celebrities and ongoing media attention, punctuated by a brief appearance from Kanye West and daily activity from supporters gathered outside the building. The defense contends that the September 2024 arrest and the ensuing trial have damaged Combs’s career and reputation beyond repair, while the prosecution argues that the evidence supports the charges and a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offenses. As Oct. 3 approaches, both sides are expected to submit further arguments and additional materials to the judge, who will weigh the facts, the letters from loved ones, and the broader context of the case before issuing a sentence.