Sean “Diddy” Combs may have a new legal home, but he still has his sights set on freedom.
The embattled music mogul’s bid for an early release from prison gained momentum after a judge on Monday (Nov. 3) agreed to expedite the appeals process, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY.
In October, Combs, 56, was sentenced to 50 months in prison, about four years, after pleading guilty to sex-trafficking charges.
Combs, who from 2024 in September was held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center on October 30. was transferred to FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. The Grammy-winning rapper is currently scheduled to be released from prison in 2028, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ online database. May 8
In a ruling by U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Judge Beth Robinson, Robinson granted a request by Combs’ legal team to expedite the timeline for the appeals process, which is set to begin in December.
The U.S. government, the opposing party in Combs’ federal case, did not object to the proposed schedule, according to previous court filings. USA TODAY has reached out to Combs’ representatives for comment.
The legal victory comes after Combs’ attorneys on Oct. 20 appealed to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
After a federal sex-trafficking investigation and numerous sexual assault civil lawsuits, Combs was arrested on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation for prostitution.
The Bad Boy Records founder appeared in court in May, where prosecutors presented their case that Combs allegedly ran a “criminal enterprise” that engaged in sex trafficking, kidnapping, drug offenses and forced labor, among other crimes.
July 2 A 12-person jury returned a verdict acquitting Combs of the most serious charges, racketeering and sex trafficking. Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution.
The rapper has denied all the allegations against him.
Why does Diddy want to speed up the appeal process?
For Combs and his legal team, the music mogul is serving his debt to society.
October 29 In a request for an expedited appeal schedule, Combs’ attorneys noted that the rapper has already served about 14 months of his 50-month sentence for prison time he has accrued beginning in 2024. in September detention.
Combs is also eligible for a reduced prison sentence under the Domestic Drug Abuse Program and the First Step Act, which aim to reduce inmate recidivism through targeted rehabilitation programs.
“To ensure that Mr. Combs can benefit meaningfully from any appellate decision that overturns his sentence, we have proposed a schedule that would expedite this court’s review of Mr. Combs’ appeal,” the statement said.
According to the approved accelerated schedule, Combs’ opening statement and an addendum to his appeal must be filed by Dec. 23, after a short deadline of 2026 set by the US government. February 20 Combs will respond to the government’s order by 2026. on March 13, and oral arguments could begin as early as April.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo, Brendan Morrow and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy wins legal appeal of prison sentence