Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Acquitted of Racketeering and Sex Trafficking, Found Guilty on Lesser Charges

*In a dramatic conclusion to a closely watched federal trial, a Manhattan jury delivered a mixed verdict on Wednesday, convicting music icon Sean “Diddy” Combs on one count of transportation to engage in prostitution while acquitting him of more severe charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, Deadline reports.

The decision, reached after six weeks of intense testimony and two days of contentious deliberations, marks a significant moment in the legal saga of the Bad Boy Records founder. The trial saw prosecutors present a case alleging that Combs leveraged his celebrity status to perpetrate a pattern of coercion, violence, and exploitation over two decades.

A total of 34 witnesses testified, including Combs’ former partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who described enduring years of physical and sexual abuse. Another witness, identified as “Jane,” recounted a three-year relationship marred by threats and drug-fueled manipulation, alleging Combs orchestrated illicit encounters.

Despite the weight of these accusations, the jury of eight men and four women struggled to find consensus on the racketeering charge, which claimed Combs ran a criminal enterprise through his business network. On Tuesday, jurors informed the court of their deadlock, citing “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” regarding the racketeering count. By Wednesday morning, after resuming deliberations at 9 a.m. ET, they returned with a verdict, finding Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but guilty on the prostitution-related charge.

Each of the two counts related to the prostitution charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison (20 years total), though an appeal is anticipated. Combs, arrested in September 2024, has consistently denied all allegations, asserting that his relationships were consensual and rejecting claims of sexual assault or trafficking.

“Sean Combs has become something that is very, very hard to become, very hard to be,” lead defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in his closing arguments, per NBC News. “He is a self-made successful Black entrepreneur.”

Agnifilo acknowledged Combs’ struggles with jealousy and instances of domestic violence but argued that the women in his life, including Cassie, chose to remain in relationships with him.

“If racketeering conspiracy had an opposite, it would be their relationship.” A critical piece of evidence during the trial was 2016 hotel security footage showing Combs assaulting Cassie, which she testified occurred because she tried to leave a “freak off.” Agnifilo admitted to the domestic violence, saying, “We own the domestic violence. We own it. I hope you guys know this.” 

He further noted, “If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn’t all be here having a trial because he would have pled guilty because he did that.” 

Combs has been held without bail at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest in late 2024. Prosecutors oppose releasing him on bond. With the trial concluded, the music mogul now faces an uncertain future and the potential for a lengthy prison sentence.

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