(NewsNation) — The judge who handed down Sean “Diddy” Combs’ prison sentence last week has responded to his request to serve time at a low-security facility in New Jersey.
Combs was sentenced Friday to four years and two months behind bars on two prostitution-related charges. He was also ordered to pay a $500,000 fine.
The rapper’s legal team requested that he serve his sentence at Fort Dix, a low-security federal correctional facility in New Jersey with a drug rehabilitation program.
Judge Arun Subramanian responded to the request Wednesday but didn’t name a specific prison where Combs should spend his 50-month sentence. He did, however, support Combs doing time “as close as possible” to New York City.
Diddy should serve sentence ‘close to NYC:’ judge
In a reply at the bottom of Combs’ attorneys’ letter, the judge wrote, “The court will recommend a facility in the geographic location of the defense’s choosing, but not the specific facility, which is determined by the Bureau of Prisons.
“For that reason, the court will include the following recommendation, based on the defense’s request: The court recommends that the defendant be incarcerated as close as possible to the New York metropolitan area, and recommends that the defendant be considered for admission to any available substance abuse program, including the Bureau of Prisons’ Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), for which he qualifies.”
The judge gave his team a deadline of Oct. 10 at noon to request a different geographic location.
Diddy’s legal team requested Fort Dix for sentence
On Monday, Diddy’s legal team requested Subramanian allow him to serve his prison sentence at Fort Dix in New Jersey.
“In order to address drug abuse issues and to maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts, we request that the court strongly recommend to the Bureau of Prisons that Mr. Combs be placed at FCI Fort Dix for RDAP purposes and any other available educational and occupational programs,” Teny Geragos, one of Combs’ attorneys, wrote in a letter to the judge.
FCI Fort Dix is a low-security federal correctional institution that has housed several well-known inmates, including former NFL player Aaron Hernandez, actor Robert Downey Jr. and television personality Joe Giudice.
The prison’s commissary list details food, drinks and self-care items that will be available to Combs should he be sent there along with how much they cost.
Diddy’s trial and sentencing
Combs was the center of a monthslong trial earlier this year, which put his clout and celebrity in focus around accusations of human trafficking and prostitution.
He was acquitted of racketeering but was convicted on two prostitution charges related to the Mann Act. Combs was facing a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.
Prosecutors asked for 11 years and three months, arguing the sentence would appropriately reflect the conduct of which he was convicted. The state said the proposed time was in line with similar cases.
Combs addressed the court Friday ahead of the judge’s sentencing announcement.
He apologized to multiple people, including ex-partner Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, her family, the woman who testified under the pseudonym “Jane” and all victims of domestic violence.
“My actions were disgusting, shameful, sick. I was sick,” Combs said. “I’m not this larger-than-life person. I’m just a human being. … I got lost in excess. I got lost in my ego.”
“I have nobody to blame but myself. I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again. I know that I have learned my lesson,” Combs also said. “And I take full accountability and responsibility.”
Combs said he was raised better by his mother and his faith, and, in part, blamed drug abuse for his actions. His attorneys have said they plan to appeal his sentence.