Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Transferred to New Jersey Prison as Appeal Moves Forward

Courtesy: Out Magazine

By: Leyah Jackson

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been transferred to Fort Dix, a low-security federal prison in New Jersey. In May, Combs was convicted of sex trafficking charges, and requested he serve his 50-month (just over four-years) prison sentence at the Fort Dix facility to take advantage of its drug treatment program and to be close to his family.

His projected release date is May 8, 2028. Up until now, Combs has been in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, NY since his arrest in September 2024 and during his trial earlier this year. 

Those 13 months have been removed from the remainder of his sentence. Any credit he receives for participating in the facility’s drug treatment program will be shaved off of his sentence as well.

“I don’t think his sentencing was fair, due to him not being found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, which I believe he did commit,” said Sydney Bacon, a fourth-year political science major. “I feel like most people like me will focus more on all of the testimonies that came from both men and women about his violence, and that may make people more inclined to not support his early release.”

Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, also known as the Mann Act. He was acquitted on more serious charges such as a count of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. 

Combs’ legal team is appealing his conviction and sentence, and on Monday U.S Court Circuit Judge Beth Robinson granted their request for a speedy appeals process. 

According to CNN, President Donald Trump previously confirmed that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs had asked him for a pardon, but no decision has been made.

Combs’ prospective appeals schedule is outlined with Combs’ brief due by Dec. 23, the U.S government’s brief due by Feb. 20 and Combs’ team’s reply due by March 13, According to NBC News. Oral arguments are expected to take place in April 2026.

“I do believe this will change how the music industry handles artists facing serious charges because of how other celebrities were wrapped up in it,” Sydney Bacon said. “Because his case caused so many potential scandals among people in the industry, I feel they would be less likely to help cover things up and instead separate themselves from those facing serious charges so as not to risk their own careers.”