Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has officially filed a notice of appeal against his federal conviction and 50-month (four-year, two-month) prison sentence. The appeal, filed by his legal team on Monday, October 20, comes weeks after he was sentenced for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, a violation of the Mann Act. Combs, 55, was convicted in July 2025 following a nearly two-month trial in federal court in New York City.
The defense plans to challenge the jury’s verdict, which found Combs guilty of the prostitution-related charges but acquitted him of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Combs’ lawyers had previously argued that the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for illegal sex acts, was misapplied in his case. Federal prosecutors had requested a much longer sentence of over 11 years.
During his sentencing on October 3, a visibly distraught Combs expressed remorse to the court and apologized to his victims, including his former partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine. However, Judge Arun Subramanian emphasized the need for accountability and deterrence, issuing the 50-month term along with a \$500,000 fine. Combs will receive credit for the 13 months he has already spent in custody since his initial arrest.
Diddy appeals conviction and sentence, maintaining his innocence on the core elements of the charges that led to his prison time. His team intends to argue that the sentence was influenced by conduct for which he was acquitted. Combs remains incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as his legal battle continues in the Court of Appeals.
