Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty Wednesday of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges in his widely followed federal trial.
Each count carries up to 10 years in prison, meaning he faces a possible 20-year sentence. His official sentencing will happen later.
The verdict came after the 12-member jury reached a unanimous decision on all but one charge, with deliberations continuing into Tuesday when they were initially split on the racketeering charge.
Judge Arun Subramanian ordered them to keep deliberating, and they eventually returned Wednesday with their final verdict.
Combs, 55, who had been in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest, was in court with his family as the decision was read.
He fell to his knees in apparent prayer before his supporters cheered.
His lawyer offered a $1 million bond and requested Combs’ release along with permission to travel between Florida, New York, and Los Angeles before sentencing, but prosecutors objected, and the judge did not immediately rule on it.
The case stemmed from a federal investigation that included raids on Combs’ homes, where authorities reportedly found firearms and large amounts of lubricants.
Testimony during the trial, which began in May, included shocking allegations from ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who described years of abuse and detailed “Freak-Offs,” where she had sex with escorts while Combs watched and directed.
Ventura said these encounters caused her medical problems and shared that she received a large payout after settling her rape lawsuit against Combs in late 2023.
Prosecutors also brought in a psychologist to explain why victims might stay in abusive relationships. Combs’ defense team tried to discredit Ventura with texts suggesting she sometimes initiated the “Freak-Offs.”
Other notable testimony came from Kid Cudi, who accused Combs of setting his car on fire with a Molotov cocktail out of jealousy.
Another ex, testifying as Jane Doe, also described being pressured into similar sexual encounters and often broke down while recounting her experiences.
Former employees described threats and violent incidents, like ex-assistant Capricorn Clark saying Combs kidnapped her, and stylist Bryana Bongolan claiming he once dangled her from a balcony.
Combs’ lawyers denied those allegations and even sought a mistrial over the balcony claim, arguing it prejudiced the jury.
Combs maintained his innocence throughout the trial, pleading not guilty. His children, including his older sons and teenage daughters, supported him in court, with one of his twins seen in tears during closing arguments.
