Sean “Diddy” Combs is being moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania, following reports that the hip-hop mogul was living well at his New Jersey lockup and had been hurt in a fight there, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Friday.
The Bureau of Prisons is transferring Combs, 56, from FCI Fort Dix to FCI Allenwood Low, a low security facility south of Williamsport and about 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of New York City. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.
The bureau confirmed the move but gave no reason. It said it does not discuss conditions of confinement or reasons for transfer for anyone in its custody, citing privacy, safety and security.
What We Know So Far
Combs is serving a four year, two month sentence for transporting people across state lines for sexual encounters, a prostitution related conviction handed down last year. The trial featured harrowing testimony about violence and the sex parties he called “freak offs.”
Last month, NBC News reported that Combs was still enjoying parts of his millionaire lifestyle at Fort Dix. It said he smuggled in Hennessy, had fellow inmates cook, clean, make his bed and give him massages, and used a contraband cellphone to browse social media.
After that report, Combs was put in the prison’s special housing unit, a heavily secured area away from the general population for inmates with disciplinary or security issues. He was also docked 41 days of good conduct credit, which pushes his release date back to March 2, 2028, the person familiar with the matter said.
On Wednesday, TMZ reported that Combs was injured in a fight with another inmate and had to be taken out of Fort Dix for treatment.
What Authorities Are Saying
Combs’ spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, said placement decisions belong to the bureau and that he could not speak to the circumstances of the transfer. “Sean remains focused on moving forward,” he said, adding that the family hopes his time at the new facility will be productive and without unnecessary disruption.
The bureau took the unusual step of denying the TMZ story. “The story you are referring to is false and did not happen,” it told the AP.
Differing Accounts
The fight is the main point of dispute. TMZ said Combs was injured in a fight with another inmate and treated outside the prison. The Bureau of Prisons flatly rejected that, calling the story false. The source of the transfer news did not say why Combs was being moved, and the bureau has not given a reason.
Why This Matters
The transfer comes after a month of unflattering headlines about how Combs was serving his time, and it moves one of music’s best known figures to a different facility. The bureau’s rare, direct denial of TMZ’s report also stands out, since the agency usually declines to comment on inmates.
The case is not over. In April, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on Combs’ bid to overturn his conviction and sentence, which his lawyers say was too harsh. The court has not ruled.
What Happens Next
Combs will serve the rest of his sentence at Allenwood Low. His release date is now March 2, 2028, and the appeals court has yet to rule on his challenge to the conviction and sentence.
Sources: the Associated Press and CBS News, citing the Federal Bureau of Prisons, NBC News, TMZ
