Synopsis
Sean “Diddy” Combs faces sentencing for violating the federal Mann Act, convicted of transporting individuals across state lines for paid sexual encounters. Acquitted of sex trafficking, his case highlights the century-old law’s evolution, previously used against figures like Jack Johnson. Prosecutors seek over 11 years, while his defense argues for a shorter term.
AP FILE – Sean Combs arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File) Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to be sentenced Friday for violating the federal Mann Act, an anti-prostitution law with a century-old history.
Although he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, Combs was convicted in July of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, to engage in paid sexual encounters.
The Mann Act makes it illegal to transport someone across state lines for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sex acts.
Over the years, the law has been used to prosecute R&B superstar R. Kelly, Jeffrey Epstein companion Ghislaine Maxwell, musician Chuck Berry and, more than a century ago, boxer Jack Johnson.
Its broad wording and a subsequent Supreme Court interpretation once allowed prosecutors to bring cases against interracial couples, and eventually many others in consensual relationships, according to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute.
The law was amended in the 1980s and today a lot of Mann Act prosecutions involve people accused of taking children across state lines for sexual purposes.
Here’s what to know about the law.
Why it’s called the Mann Act In 1910, Congress passed the bill, which was named after Republican U.S. Rep. James Robert Mann of Illinois.
It’s also known as the “White-Slave Traffic Act” of 1910.
How it applies to Combs’ case Combs was convicted of counts involving two former girlfriends: the R&B singer Cassie and a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane.
Both women said at trial that Combs had pressured them into degrading sex maratho
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