Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking after a nearly two-month federal trial that gripped the entertainment world. However, a New York jury convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, linked to his former partner Casandra Ventura and another woman referred to in court as “Jane.”
The verdict came after 13 hours of jury deliberation and months of courtroom drama involving 34 witnesses, including ex-girlfriends, former employees, federal agents, and male escorts. The courtroom was filled with tension as the jury returned to deliver its decision. As the verdict was read, Combs appeared expressionless, a stark contrast to earlier moments when he had been seen praying with his children.
The federal charges he was convicted of carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. While sentencing has not yet been scheduled, legal analysts believe he is unlikely to receive the maximum penalty. “I think we’re going to see a sentence more in the five-to-10-year range,” said Robert Mintz, a former federal prosecutor focused on organized crime.
Combs’ legal team, clearly emotional after the verdict, called for his immediate release. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, argued that the acquittal on the most serious charges warrants a change in Combs’ custody status. “A considerable change in his conditions is warranted,” Agnifilo said, suggesting Combs be released on a $1 million bond secured by family and allowed to return to his Florida home while awaiting sentencing.
Prosecutors opposed the motion strongly. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Comey accused Combs of downplaying the seriousness of the charges and highlighted allegations of violent behavior and drug trafficking while he was under investigation. “He does pose a danger” and would “flagrantly disregard” court conditions if released, she argued. But Agnifilo insisted Combs understood the weight of the verdict. “He would be nothing short of a fool to violate the conditions,” he said.
Throughout the trial, both the prosecution and defense leaned heavily on the testimonies of those who claimed to have witnessed or experienced abusive behavior by Combs. Yet in the end, the jury sided with the defense on the most explosive allegations.
Doug Wigdor, the lawyer for Casandra Ventura, spoke shortly after the verdict. “By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion,” he said.
Outside the courthouse, a crowd of Combs’ supporters broke into loud cheers once the verdict was made public. Chants of “Let him go!” filled the air, while content creators and fans scrambled to be first to report the news online. Two influencers who have followed the case from the start described the courthouse atmosphere as “mayhem.” One said, “There are more Diddy fans than not,” noting that their platform had grown significantly during the trial.
The Southern District of New York, which led the prosecution, issued a statement acknowledging the emotional weight of the case. Attorney Jay Clayton and Homeland Security’s New York Field Office head Ricky Patel thanked their teams, the NYPD, and other agencies for what they called a “victim-centered approach” to sex crimes.
“Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society,” their statement read. They recognized the trauma victims face, calling it “gut-wrenching physical and mental abuse,” and praised those who come forward, despite the emotional toll.
Courtroom observers described a deeply emotional scene after the verdict. Combs, who had remained reserved throughout, was visibly moved. He knelt in prayer, his head buried in his chair, shaking. He then stood, turned to his family, clapped loudly, and embraced his lawyer as supporters joined in applause from the overflow room.
His lawyer, Teny Geragos, was seen wiping tears from her eyes. Combs made repeated prayer gestures to the jury and his family, nodding in gratitude. “The jury has given him his life,” Agnifilo said.
Observers have begun to question whether the federal government overreached by bringing such serious charges in the first place. With a 93% conviction rate in the Southern District of New York, acquittal on racketeering and sex trafficking counts is seen by legal experts as a significant blow to the prosecution.
“There’s no other way to characterize this but a win for the defense and a stinging defeat for prosecutors,” Mintz noted.
Still, Combs is not entirely in the clear. The transportation for prostitution charges, though lesser in degree, are federal offenses. Sentencing will determine whether he walks free soon or faces years behind bars.
By: Joshua Narh