A federal jury has found music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy but convicted him on two counts of transporting women for prostitution.
The verdict, delivered Tuesday in a New York courtroom, follows a high-profile trial that began in May. After three days and 13 hours of deliberation, the jury reached a unanimous decision on all five charges brought against Combs.
The final verdict is as follows:
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Racketeering conspiracy: not guilty
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Sex trafficking of Cassie Ventura: not guilty
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Transportation for prostitution of Ventura and others: guilty
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Sex trafficking of a woman known as “Jane”: not guilty
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Transportation for prostitution of “Jane” and others: guilty
The charges stem from allegations made by Ventura and “Jane,” both of whom dated Combs and testified during the trial. They described events they called “freak-offs” or “hotel nights” — incidents in which Combs arranged for male escorts to have sex with them while he observed, sometimes filming or directing the encounters.
Before the verdict was read, Combs was seen praying with his children and hugging his legal team. Inside the overflow room where many observers had gathered, emotions ran high, with audible reactions after each count was announced, despite the judge’s instruction for order.
Combs had been held in custody since his arrest in September 2024. Though he was cleared of the most serious charges, his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, argued that the guilty verdicts should not prevent his release on bond.
“The defendant’s acquittal on the most serious charges meant he should be released to go live at his home in Florida,” Agnifilo said, proposing a $1 million bond backed by family members present in court.
But prosecutors pushed back, urging the judge to deny bail.
“It is clear that the defendant does pose a danger,” said lead prosecutor Maurene Comey, adding that the state will seek the full 20-year sentence — the maximum 10 years for each of the two transportation counts.
The judge has yet to rule on whether Combs will remain in custody until sentencing. The date for that hearing has not been set.
As the courtroom emptied, Combs appeared emotional. He dropped to his knees, buried his face in his chair, and trembled, seemingly in prayer before being escorted out.
Judge Arun Subramanian thanked the jury for their service, acknowledging the weight of the case and the length of the trial.
“You have the right to talk to the press, but you have good reason not to,” he told jurors. “Respect the privacy of deliberations and the views of the other jurors.”
