The rumors have been flying around for months, but if you’re looking for the day the gavel finally came down, it already happened. Sean "Diddy" Combs was sentenced on October 3, 2025. It wasn't the decade-plus term prosecutors were screaming for, but it wasn't the "time served" walk-away his high-powered legal team tried to manifest either.
Basically, Diddy is currently an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix in New Jersey.
When will P Diddy be sentenced?
If you are asking when will P Diddy be sentenced because you’re waiting for a future date, you might be following old news or confusing his criminal case with the mountain of civil lawsuits still piling up. In the federal criminal case (United States v. Combs), the final sentencing hearing took place in Lower Manhattan before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in late 2025.
The judge handed down a sentence of 50 months—that's four years and two months.
He also got hit with:
- Five years of supervised release (probation on steroids).
- A $500,000 fine.
- The requirement to stay drug-free and participate in rehabilitation programs.
It was a heavy afternoon. Diddy actually broke down. He addressed his seven children in the gallery, called his own past behavior "disgusting" and "sick," and apologized specifically to Cassie Ventura. It was a far cry from the "Bad Boy for Life" persona the world knew for thirty years.
The verdict that changed everything
You have to remember how we got here. The trial started in May 2025. For weeks, the jury heard graphic testimony about "freak-offs" and interstate travel. Everyone expected a massive conviction on sex trafficking and racketeering.
But the jury threw a curveball.
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On July 2, 2025, they acquitted him of the heaviest charges—the ones that could have put him away for life. Instead, they found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. This narrowed the sentencing range significantly. Prosecutors still pushed for 11 years, arguing he was unrepentant. The defense argued for 14 months. Judge Subramanian landed right in the middle.
Where is Diddy now and when is he getting out?
Since he was credited for the 13 months he spent at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn while awaiting trial, his clock started with a head start. According to the Bureau of Prisons, his current expected release date is May 8, 2028.
He’s not in a maximum-security dungeon. Fort Dix is a low-security facility. Still, it’s prison. There have been reports of him trying to adjust to the "new normal"—prison jobs, limited phone calls, and the lack of Cîroc.
Honestly, the drama isn't over. While the criminal sentencing is done, his legal team filed an appeal in December 2025. They’re trying to get the whole thing overturned or at least get the sentence slashed.
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The Trump pardon rumors
Here is the part everyone is talking about in early 2026. Shortly after the 2024 election, rumors swirled that Diddy was gunning for a presidential pardon. He even reportedly sent a personal letter to the White House.
However, in January 2026, President Trump publicly threw cold water on that. He told reporters a pardon was "off the table." So, for now, that May 2028 date is the one to circle on the calendar.
What happens next?
Even though the question of when will P Diddy be sentenced is technically answered for the federal crimes, his calendar is still a mess. He is facing nearly 70 civil lawsuits. These are separate from the jail time. These are about money and personal accountability.
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If you’re following this case, here is the reality of what to watch for next:
- The Appeal Process: His lawyers are currently fighting the October 2025 sentence in the appellate courts. We likely won't see a ruling on that until mid-to-late 2026.
- Civil Trial Dates: Expect several of the lawsuits filed by victims (including those represented by attorney Tony Buzbee) to head toward trial dates throughout 2026 and 2027.
- Asset Liquidation: With a half-million-dollar fine and millions more in potential civil settlements, the "Diddy empire" is being dismantled piece by piece to cover legal costs.
The "Diddy Carnival," as some reporters called it, has moved from the headlines of the criminal courts to the slow, grinding gears of the civil justice system and the federal appeals process. He’s gone from the boardroom to a bunk bed, and barring a legal miracle, he'll be there for a couple more years.
Practical Next Steps for Following the Case
To stay updated on his specific release status, you can search the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator using his register number. For updates on the civil trials, monitoring the Southern District of New York (SDNY) court dockets is the most reliable way to see if new trial dates are scheduled for 2026.