Executive Summary
- Justin Combs asked a federal judge to grant his father a “second chance” during a sentencing hearing on December 3.
- Sean Combs faces sentencing for two Mann Act convictions handed down in July 2025.
- Family members argued that Sean Combs has achieved sobriety and rehabilitation while incarcerated.
- Prosecutors are seeking a lengthy prison term based on evidence of coercion and the nature of the offenses.
Justin Combs appealed directly to a federal judge on Tuesday, urging the court to demonstrate leniency during the sentencing hearing for his father, Sean “Diddy” Combs. The hearing follows the music mogul’s conviction earlier this year on federal charges related to the transportation of individuals for illicit purposes.
Addressing the court, Justin Combs characterized his father as a changed man who has utilized his time in custody to achieve sobriety. “I ask that you give my father a second chance, a second chance at life, a second chance to right his wrongs,” Justin stated in the courtroom. He asserted that the elder Combs had been “stripped of everything” and that the experience of incarceration had forced him to cease substance use, describing his father as a “superhero” who still possesses the capacity to contribute to society.
Sean Combs was convicted in July 2025 on two counts of violating the Mann Act, a federal statute prohibiting the transportation of individuals across state lines for prostitution. The jury in that trial acquitted him of separate charges regarding racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Prosecutors have requested a significant prison term, referencing evidence presented at trial regarding alleged coercion and the organization of multi-day sexual gatherings.
The defense presented statements from several of Combs’ children to mitigate the potential sentence. Quincy Brown addressed the court to express unconditional family support, stating that his father had “learned a major lesson.” Additionally, D’Lila Combs spoke of the personal impact of her father’s absence on their younger sibling, appealing for the opportunity for the family to heal together.
Sentencing Considerations
The presiding judge is now tasked with determining an appropriate sentence that balances the federal sentencing guidelines for Mann Act violations with the mitigating factors presented by the defense. While the prosecution emphasizes the severity of the conduct and the need for deterrence, the defense’s strategy relies heavily on demonstrating rehabilitation and the impact of incarceration on the defendant’s character. It is important to note that under the U.S. justice system, defendants retain the right to appeal convictions, and all sentencing determinations must adhere to strict procedural standards.
