Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has received a mixed verdict in his high-profile federal trial, being acquitted of the most serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, but convicted on counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. This partial legal victory comes after nearly two months of intense courtroom proceedings, leading to a significant moment for the 55-year-old hip-hop icon.

Combs was tried on five federal charges, to all of which he had pleaded not guilty. The jury, consisting of 12 members, deliberated for several days after hearing testimonies from 34 witnesses, including former girlfriends, male escorts, ex-employees, and federal agents. The racketeering charge, identified by legal experts as the most complex, required prosecutors to demonstrate that Combs operated a criminal enterprise over several years involving at least two criminal acts. The jury ultimately concluded that the burden of proof for this charge had not been met, leading to an acquittal. Similarly, he was cleared of the sex trafficking charges, despite compelling testimonies from his former long-time partner Casandra Ventura and another unnamed accuser referred to as “Jane,” who alleged they were coerced into sexual acts and exploited during their relationships with the music mogul.

While acquitted of the more severe charges, the jury returned a guilty verdict on transportation to engage in prostitution, specifically citing credible evidence that Combs facilitated interstate travel for both Ventura and “Jane” for the purpose of engaging in paid sexual encounters. This offense carries a lesser sentence compared to racketeering or sex trafficking, but still entails serious legal consequences, with each count carrying a potential maximum of 10 years in prison.

The legal proceedings were significantly influenced by the courage of Casandra Ventura. Her initial civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, which alleged rape and abuse, served as the catalyst for the subsequent federal investigation. Although her civil suit was settled a day after filing, Ventura became a key witness in the criminal case, delivering a harrowing four-day testimony detailing years of alleged physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. During her testimony, images of injuries she suffered over their 11-year relationship were presented, alongside graphic videos referred to as “freak-offs.” A pivotal piece of evidence was a 2016 surveillance video showing Combs violently assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway, footage that even Combs’ legal team acknowledged as “inexcusable.” Her attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, praised Ventura for her bravery, stating that her coming forward “paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution” and left an “indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”

Following the verdict, Combs, who has already served about 10 months in prison since his arrest in September 2024, remains jailed at a federal lockup in Brooklyn. His request for bail while awaiting sentencing was denied by Judge Arun Subramanian, who deemed that Combs and his team failed to prove he is not a danger to the community. Despite his continued incarceration, reports from his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, indicate that Combs received a “hero’s welcome” and a standing ovation from his fellow inmates upon his return to prison. According to Agnifilo, inmates viewed the acquittal as a sign of hope, expressing that they “never get to see anyone who beats the government.” Any future sentence will include credit for the time already served.