Prosecutors Seek Substantial Prison Term for Sean 'Diddy' Combs as they Oppose Bail

Prosecutors said they now expect music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs could face a prison sentence "substantially higher" than the four to five years they once thought he was likely to face after his conviction on two prostitution-related charges.

- PT News New York, August 1

They made the observation late Thursday in a Manhattan federal court written submission in which they also opposed Combs’ request this week to be released on $50 million bail while he awaits an Oct. 3 sentencing. In early July, Combs, 55, was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges carrying potential life prison terms but was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for arranging for girlfriends and male sex workers to travel to engage in sexual encounters that he filmed.

Each prostitution-related charge carries a potential maximum 10 years in prison. Prosecutors said after the verdict that they thought federal sentencing guidelines meant to prevent wide disparities in sentencings for the same crimes would likely call for a prison term of four to five years. But they said Thursday they believe the guidelines range "will be substantially higher," raising the risk Combs will flee.