The federal Mann act, an anti-prostitution law with a century-old history, will dictate Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sentencing on Friday, October 3 (US time). While he was acquitted of the serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges against himself, the American rapper is slated to face the repercussions of prostitution charges linked to his years-old ‘freak-offs.’

The disgraced music mogul has been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Centre since his initial arrest in September 2024. In one of the most latest updates, Combs begged the Manhattan judge heading his case for mercy on the eve of the October 3 sentencing.

As he faces up to 20 years in prison, prosecutors are seeking a minimum 11-year sentence. Meanwhile, his lawyers are asking he be released later this month.

Here are the some key pointers to keep in mind ahead of the sentencing:

Diddy’s letter to judge

The 55-year-old Revolt founder pressed in his four-page letter to Judge Arun Subramanian that he had become a changed-man after spending over a year in jail. Apologising for “all of the hurt and pain that I have caused,” Diddy even went on to express regret for having assaulted his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

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“I literally lost my mind,” he wrote. “…My domestic violence will always be heavy burden that will have to forever carry.” Blaming drugs for having “lost my way,” Combs said his downfall was rooted in selfishness, adding he had been “humbled and broken to my core.”

He directed that particular apology to his anonymous ex, who previously testified as ‘Jane Doe,’ that Diddy drugged and beat her, in addition to forcing her to engage in sexual activities with a male escort.

Reflecting on his life since his arrest last year, he wrote, “I can’t change the past, but I can change the future. I know that God put me here to transform me. Since incarceration, I have gone through a spiritual reset. I’m on a journey that will take time and hard work. I’m proud to say I’m working harder than I ever have before. I’m committed to the journey of remaining a drug free, non-violent and peaceful person. I thank God that I’m stronger, wiser, clean, clear and sober. God makes no mistakes.”

He even went on to promise to judge that if he was allowed to go home to his family, he wouldn’t let him down, and would make him proud.

What has Diddy been up to before his sentencing? ‘Free Game with Diddy’ explained

The Bad Boy Records founder has reportedly been teaching a course called “Free Game With Diddy” to his fellow inmates during his time behind the bars. According to an Independent report, these classes in question constitute a six-week course. Combs’ legal team mentioned them in “letters of support” ahead of his sentencing.

As per the syllabus listed therein, the disgraced music mogul teaches his prison-mates about positive thinking, ways to deal with failure, business intel and how to set goals.

But more importantly, the former business tycoon’s course is about his own trajectory in the industry. “The course offers exclusive insights into the journey of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, tracing his rise from humble beginnings to becoming a globally recognized icon and influential business mogul,” the documents detail.

Headlines related to Diddy’s course and inmates’ subsequent reviews emerged around the same time people opposing his release wrote letters to the New York judge.

The collectively positive feedback for the six-week course included an inmate saying that it had taught him about discipline, while another said that his takeaways from it will help him “become self-aware” of his negative behaviour.

A third person praised Diddy, saying, “Even behind bars and with limited [sic] resources I have witness [sic] this man do magical things,” another said in praise of the rapper.” Meanwhile, a fourth lauded him for sharing “first hand knowledge/experience” of the corporate world. Someone even said that the rapper had inspire him to change views on life.

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What is Mann Act?

Named after Republican US Rep James Robert Mann, the bill was passed in 1910. Another name for the Mann Act is the “White-Slave Traffic Act.” It makes it a crime to transport someone across state lines for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sex acts, according to the Associated Press.

In addition to it being at the centre of Diddy’s scandal, the law has been used in the cases of R&B singer R Kelly, Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, musician Chuck Berry and others. Following its amendment in the 1980s, a major chunk of cases tied to this act entail accusations linked to children being taken across state lines for sexual purposes.

It especially aligns with Diddy’s case as Ventura and Jane testified that their ex-partner left them with no choice but to participate in unsettling sexcapades with strangers, who were ultimately paid for them. As previously insinuated by Cassie and also seen in the hotel lobby video released last year, the R&B songstress said that Combs physically assaulted her for walking out of one such encounter.

50 Cent counters mercy plea

In addition to Cassie suggesting in her letter to Judge Subramanian that Diddy’s victims and survivors will never be safe, his longtime rival 50 Cent also shared a message on social media. The message published on Instagram captures him directly addressing the Indian-origin judge, and calling Combs a “dangerous” man.

“I think you should consider the safety of the general public, your honor, before unleashing him upon them. There hasn’t been enough time for him to reform or make any adjustments, despite his trying to teach a class in there,” he added.