A federal judge rejected Sean Combs' attempt to overturn his conviction for prostitution-related offenses ahead of his Friday sentencing. The music mogul was found guilty in July of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution during elaborate sexual encounters he orchestrated with male escorts and his girlfriends. Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed defense arguments that the Mann Act charges violated constitutional protections for consensual adult activity.
Prosecutors presented substantial evidence showing Combs arranged and sometimes participated in these sexual activities with two women who testified at trial. Defense attorneys claimed Combs did not financially benefit from the encounters between escorts and his girlfriends. The judge ruled that prostitution encompasses any exchange of sex for payment and that filming the acts does not grant First Amendment protection for illegal conduct.
Combs faces up to 20 years in prison for the two counts, while prosecutors seek at least 11 years and three months behind bars. The 55-year-old defendant has been in custody at a Brooklyn detention facility for over a year. His legal team requested a reduced sentence that would allow his release shortly after the hearing.
Prosecutors presented substantial evidence showing Combs arranged and sometimes participated in these sexual activities with two women who testified at trial. Defense attorneys claimed Combs did not financially benefit from the encounters between escorts and his girlfriends. The judge ruled that prostitution encompasses any exchange of sex for payment and that filming the acts does not grant First Amendment protection for illegal conduct.
Combs faces up to 20 years in prison for the two counts, while prosecutors seek at least 11 years and three months behind bars. The 55-year-old defendant has been in custody at a Brooklyn detention facility for over a year. His legal team requested a reduced sentence that would allow his release shortly after the hearing.
