The jury has reached a verdict in the sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
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Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found guilty on two counts in his federal trial while being acquitted of three others.
The Manhattan federal jury found the rapper:
- Not guilty of Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy
- Not guilty of Count 2: Sex-trafficking of Cassie Ventura
- Guilty of Count 3: Transportation for prostitution of Cassie and others
- Not Guilty of Count 4: Sex-trafficking of Jane*
- Guilty of Count 5: Transportation for prostitution of Jane and others
Per CNN, Combs faces up to 20 years in prison, with each transportation conviction carrying a maximum 10-year sentence.
Had he been convicted on the more serious racketeering or sex-trafficking charges, he could have faced a life sentence.
The jury deliberated for 13 hours over three days to come to a unanimous decision on the charges against Combs.
As the verdict was read, the disgraced rapper sat stoically, staring ahead before making a praying hands gesture toward the jury in a gesture of thanks after the decisions were confirmed, Sky News reported.
Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing this case, thanked the jurors for their “sacrifice,” saying: “I want you to know that it is inspiring to all of us. You listened, you worked together, you were here every day, rain or shine.
“You did so with no reward, other than the reward that comes from answering the call of public service. That should give all of us hope,” he added, per The Guardian.
Following the verdict, Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, requested that the rapper be released from federal detention, where he has remained since his arrest in September 2024 after being denied bail.
Agnifilo argued that since Combs has been acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, his continued detention is unnecessary.
While acknowledging that all federal charges are serious, he emphasized that the transportation charges the rapper was convicted of are “vastly” different from the initial allegations.
He also noted this is his’ first conviction and proposed that he be allowed to return to his home in Florida. However, prosecutor Maurene Comey opposed the request, stating that the government plans to seek the maximum 20-year sentence for Combs.
The results come from seven weeks of testimony that included 34 witnesses, video evidence, and emotional accounts from Combs’ ex-partner, Cassie Ventura, and countless others who accused him of abuse.
The 38-year-old ‘Me & U’ musician, who accused Diddy of rape and sex trafficking in 2013, revealed in court that Combs forced her into “freak-offs”, which prosecutors described as days-long, drug-fueled sex sessions with male prostitutes, sometimes recorded by Combs.
The “freak offs” would take place in the rap mogul’s homes, Ventura’s homes, and in hotel suites around the world. The mom-of-three added that Combs would find escorts on Craigslist, paying them between $1,500 to $6,000.
Ventura also described a 2013 incident where Combs allegedly kicked her off a yacht at the Cannes Film Festival after accusing her of drug use, later threatening to release explicit videos to control her.
She further recounted a 2016 incident where her ex-partner was caught on camera assaulting her in a Los Angeles hotel.
In addition to this, another former girlfriend, identified only as “Jane”, testified that she was forced to participate in the sex-fueled parties under threats that Combs would stop paying her rent and cut off financial support if she did not comply.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Christy Slavik told jurors that Combs “used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” adding: “He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law,” per E! News.
“He doesn’t take no for an answer,” she added. “It was his kingdom. Everyone was there to serve him.”
