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Prosecutors are urging the Second Circuit to uphold Combs’ Mann Act convictions and 50-month sentence, arguing the trial judge properly applied federal sentencing guidelines
A federal appeals court has scheduled oral arguments in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing legal battle stemming from his Manhattan federal criminal case. Combs and his legal team are attempting to to overturn (or ‘modify’) his Mann Act convictions. According to a notice filed February 19, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will hear arguments April 9, 2026, at 10 AM at 40 Foley Sq. in lower Manhattan. Each side will have 10 minutes to present arguments before a panel of appellate judges.
The appeal relates to Combs’ underlying federal case in the Southern District of New York, overseen by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, where he was convicted in July 2025 on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution under the Mann Act, was acquitted of more serious charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
🚨DIDDY DOCKET: The U.S. Court of Appeals has scheduled oral arguments in United States v. Combs, the federal criminal case involving Sean “Diddy” Combs. According to the filing from yesterday, February 19, 2026, attorneys for both sides will appear April 9, 2026, at 10 AM at the… pic.twitter.com/iAwKemgQSf
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) February 20, 2026
In October 2025, Subramanian sentenced Combs to 50 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release, along with a $500,000 fine, following an emotional sentencing hearing attended by family members and victims. Combs’ legal team has argued the Mann Act convictions were improperly applied and previously filed motions challenging the verdict and seeking relief, calling the law outdated and inappropriate in his case (citing that Combs didn’t engage in acts with the escorts). The defense also previously stated that Judge Subramanian acted as a “13th juror” in imposing an abnormally long sentence for a Mann Act conviction.
In its appellate brief, federal prosecutors urged the Second Circuit to uphold Sean Combs’ convictions and sentence, arguing the trial court “properly applied the Acquitted Conduct Guideline, correctly calculated the Guidelines range, and properly considered the aggravated manner in which Combs carried out his Mann Act offenses and harmed his victims.” Prosecutors said evidence presented during the eight-week trial showed Combs transported women and commercial sex workers across state lines for prostitution, paid escorts to engage in sexual encounters involving his girlfriends, and relied on staff to arrange travel, hotel rooms, drugs and payments to facilitate the encounters. The government also argued the district court acted within its discretion at sentencing(even if a defendant was acquitted of related charges),when determining an appropriate sentence.
The Second Circuit appeal represents one of Combs’ final legal avenues to challenge the conviction or sentence. During oral arguments, appellate judges will question both prosecutors and defense attorneys before issuing a written decision, which could affirm the conviction, overturn it, or send the case back to the lower court for further proceedings.
The hearing notice indicates arguments will take place in person, though some remote participation remains possible depending on court protocols.
Combs, 55, remains in federal custody serving his sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey.
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Lauren Conlin
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