After nearly two months of testimony in a closely watched federal trial, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and both sex trafficking charges, a Manhattan jury decided on Wednesday.
The split verdict comes after a trial that began on May 5 and centered on explosive allegations from multiple women, including Combs’ former partner Cassie Ventura and another accuser identified only as “Jane.” The jury, composed of eight men and four women, returned unanimous verdicts on four of the five counts after deliberating for just under 13 hours.
Combs, 54, had faced five charges in total: two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and one count of racketeering conspiracy. Prosecutors accused him of orchestrating a two-decade criminal operation that used his celebrity status, financial power, and network of associates to lure and exploit women.
However, the jury rejected the government’s broader claims that Combs led a criminal enterprise under federal racketeering laws or committed acts that rose to the legal threshold of sex trafficking — charges that could have brought a minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
Instead, they found Combs guilty of arranging interstate travel for Cassie and Jane for the purpose of prostitution. Each of those counts carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, which would run concurrently.
The verdict was delivered one day after jurors informed U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that they were deadlocked on the racketeering charge, citing “unpersuadable opinions on both sides.” The judge instructed them to continue deliberating, ruling that more time was needed to try reaching a consensus.
On Wednesday, the jury returned with a complete verdict. Combs, who has been incarcerated without bail at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest on September 16, 2024, reportedly sat with his head bowed as the jury entered the courtroom.
Combs has long maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. His legal team argued that the allegations were exaggerated or fabricated and emphasized the lack of physical evidence linking him to a criminal conspiracy.
The Department of Justice, meanwhile, alleged that Combs used his influence and wealth to traffic and exploit vulnerable women, describing his actions as part of a larger pattern of abuse that had gone unchecked for years.
A sentencing date has not yet been set, though prosecutors have signaled they may push for the maximum penalty.
