Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but cleared of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges in a dramatic conclusion to his high-profile federal trial in New York on Wednesday. The mixed verdict means the hip-hop mogul escaped a potential life sentence, though he still faces up to 20 years in prison.
The 12-member jury reached their decision after 13 hours of deliberation across three days following a seven-week trial that captivated global attention. The 55-year-old music executive, dressed in his typical beige sweater, was seen making prayer gestures to the jury after the verdicts were announced.
Federal prosecutors had accused Combs of running a criminal enterprise for two decades, using his fame and business empire to force former girlfriends into drug-fuelled sexual performances known as “freak-offs” with male escorts whilst he watched and filmed. However, the jury found insufficient evidence to support the most serious allegations of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
The guilty verdicts relate specifically to allegations involving Combs’ former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, the R&B singer who was in a relationship with him from 2007 to 2018, and another former girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym “Jane”. Prosecutors successfully argued that Combs transported these women across state lines for sexual purposes, violating federal Mann Act provisions.
Central to the prosecution’s case was hotel surveillance footage from 2016 showing Combs violently assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel corridor. The video, which emerged after Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, showed the mogul punching, kicking and throwing her to the floor. Ventura, who was eight months pregnant during her testimony, described being coerced into the sexual encounters whilst under the influence of drugs.
The defence team, led by Marc Agnifilo, acknowledged Combs exhibited violent behaviour in his relationships but maintained that the sexual activities were consensual, characterising them as part of a “swinger lifestyle”. They highlighted text messages and social media posts where the women appeared to show enthusiasm for the encounters, arguing this contradicted claims of coercion.
Judge Arun Subramanian praised the jury for their dedication throughout the lengthy proceedings, which featured testimony from 34 prosecution witnesses including former personal assistants, hotel staff, and security personnel. The defence called no witnesses, with Combs choosing not to testify on his own behalf.
The mixed verdict represents a significant legal victory for Combs’ defence team, as the racketeering charge alone could have resulted in life imprisonment. Each count of transportation to engage in prostitution carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, though legal experts suggest the first-time federal offender is unlikely to receive the full 20-year maximum.
Immediately following the verdict, defence attorney Marc Agnifilo requested Combs’ release from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been held since his September 2024 arrest. However, prosecutor Maurene Comey opposed the application, stating the government would seek the maximum 20-year sentence.
The case began when Ventura filed a civil lawsuit in November 2023 accusing Combs of physical and sexual abuse. Though the suit was settled within 24 hours for $20 million, it sparked a federal investigation that led to raids on Combs’ homes, where authorities discovered drugs and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant allegedly used in the sexual performances.
During the raids, federal agents also found evidence of other alleged crimes, including testimony that Combs was involved in the arson of rapper Kid Cudi’s car after discovering his romantic involvement with Ventura. A hotel security guard testified that Combs paid him $100,000 for what he believed was the only copy of the surveillance footage showing the assault on Ventura.
The verdict effectively ends Combs’ career as one of the music industry’s most powerful figures. His Bad Boy Records empire, built over three decades and responsible for launching careers of artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, faces an uncertain future. The former billionaire, once known for hosting lavish parties for celebrities in the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, has seen his business empire crumble since his arrest.
Combs’ legal team has indicated they plan to appeal the convictions, though they successfully avoided the life sentence that racketeering and sex trafficking charges would have carried. The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal prosecutors to address sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry through criminal prosecution, following high-profile cases involving figures like Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly.
Judge Subramanian has not yet announced a sentencing date, though proceedings typically occur several weeks after verdict delivery. The music mogul’s status as a first-time federal offender may result in a sentence below the theoretical maximum of 20 years, though his conduct whilst incarcerated may influence the judge’s decision.
The mixed verdict reflects the jury’s careful consideration of complex evidence, distinguishing between domestic violence and federal sex trafficking crimes. Whilst Combs was held accountable for his actions through the guilty verdicts, prosecutors failed to prove their most serious allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Federal prosecutors expressed satisfaction that Combs faced consequences for his behaviour, even though they did not secure convictions on their most severe charges. The case continues to reverberate through the entertainment industry, where it has prompted broader discussions about accountability and the abuse of power by influential figures.
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