Sean “Diddy” Combs has secured a faster appeals schedule as he begins serving his federal prison sentence. On Monday, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Beth Robinson granted Combs’ request to expedite the appeals process, just days after he was moved to FCI Fort Dix, a low-security federal prison in New Jersey.
Combs, 55, is currently serving a 50-month sentence after being convicted this summer on two counts of interstate prostitution under the Mann Act. He was acquitted on the more serious charges, including racketeering conspiracyand sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
Combs has consistently denied the allegations, and his legal team argues the Mann Act is being misapplied. In a recent court filing, defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro said the appeal will challenge “the unfair use of a historically problematic law to prosecute consensual adult conduct.”
Judge Robinson set a condensed briefing timeline:
- Combs’ appeal brief due: December 23
- Government’s reply due: February 20
- Defense response due: March 13
If the schedule holds, oral arguments could begin as early as April 2026.
Combs was transferred to Fort Dix on Thursday. The facility houses around 4,000 inmates and is known for its large campus-style layout rather than high-security restrictions.
His current projected release date is May 8, 2028, though good-behavior credits or participation in rehabilitation programs could shorten that timeline. He has already served 14 months since his 2024 arrest.
SOURCE: NBC News