Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty Wednesday on two federal counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of more serious charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. The split verdict caps a high-profile trial that drew national attention to the music mogul's alleged criminal conduct and lifestyle.
The 12-person jury-comprised of eight men and four women-deliberated for three days before delivering the decision in a New York federal courtroom overseen by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian. The transportation charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years each. If served consecutively, Combs could face up to 20 years in prison.
"Your verdict must be unanimous," Judge Subramanian told jurors as they entered deliberations Monday. After failing to reach consensus on all counts Tuesday, jurors were instructed to resume deliberations Wednesday morning.
The ruling comes nearly a year after Combs, 55, was arrested in New York in September 2024 and charged with multiple federal offenses, including sex trafficking by force and racketeering conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and has remained in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after being denied bail.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson led the prosecution, focusing on disturbing accounts from two central witnesses: Cassie Ventura, Combs' former girlfriend, and an unnamed Jane Doe. Johnson described alleged sexual assaults and coercion during events referred to as "freak offs," where Ventura and others were allegedly forced into sexual activity.
Cassie "tried the first freak off because she loved the defendant and wanted to make him happy," Johnson told the jury during opening statements. Jane Doe believed it was "a one-time wild night."
Cassie testified for several days, describing repeated abuse over an 11-year relationship. She was joined on the witness stand by musician Kid Cudi and Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, among others. The prosecution called 34 witnesses over 29 days.
The defense argued that the encounters were consensual and that Combs' behavior, while controversial, did not rise to the level of criminal conspiracy. "Domestic violence is not sex trafficking," said defense attorney Teny Geragos. Co-counsel Marc Agnifilo added, "There is a gaping lack of evidence when it comes to the racketeering conspiracy acts."
In closing arguments, Agnifilo portrayed the government's case as overreaching. "If you find that you're in the weeds of this great complexity, maybe that's because it's just not there," he said.
Prosecutor Maurene Comey urged the jury to hold Combs accountable: "For 20 years, the defendant got away with his crimes. Today it ends in this courtroom. He is not a god, he is a person. Find him guilty."
Though the verdict spares Combs a potential life sentence, the outcome is far from an exoneration. He remains subject to numerous civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and abuse.
Judge Subramanian is expected to decide later Wednesday whether Combs will remain in custody or be released on bond pending sentencing.
