A New York jury has delivered a mixed verdict in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, finding the music mogul guilty on two counts related to the transportation of individuals for prostitution, while acquitting him on three other charges, including the most serious, racketeering conspiracy.
Following a closely watched seven-week trial marked by emotional and graphic testimony, the 12-member jury, comprising eight men and four women, reached its decision after 13 hours of deliberation over three days.
Diddy was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, the sex trafficking of Casandra Ventura, and the sex trafficking of a woman identified only as “Jane”. However, he was found guilty of transporting both Ventura and “Jane” across state lines to engage in prostitution, violations of federal law that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years each.
The verdict was read out on Wednesday morning in a Manhattan federal courtroom. In a dramatic moment, Diddy dropped to his knees and appeared to pray upon hearing the decision. He then turned to the courtroom gallery, clapping, which prompted a round of applause and cheers from supporters.
Later that day, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs’s request for release on bail, citing his “disregard for the rule of law and a propensity for violence”. The judge set a tentative sentencing date for 3 October but noted it could be moved forward at the defence’s request.
Diddy held in detention since 2024
Diddy has been held in a federal detention facility in Brooklyn since his arrest in September 2024. Addressing his family, including his mother and children, just before leaving the courtroom, he said: “I’ll see you when I get out. We’re going to get through this.”
Outside court, Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, hailed the verdict as a “great victory”, stating the jury “got the situation right or certainly right enough”. Agnifilo added, “We fight on and we’re going to win. And we’re not going to stop until he walks out of prison a free man to his family.”
While the government initially sought life imprisonment under the racketeering charge, Combs now faces a significantly reduced sentence. Prosecutors confirmed they will pursue a custodial sentence, estimating that under federal guidelines, Combs could face four to five years in prison, citing his alleged violent history. Defence counsel, however, argued that the likely sentence would be closer to two years. Having already served nine months, Combs may see a further reduction in time served depending on sentencing outcomes.
The verdict brings to a close one of the most high-profile celebrity trials in recent years, though legal battles for Combs may not yet be over.
