After nearly two months of testimony and deliberation, a federal jury delivered (July 2) a split verdict in the high-profile sex-crimes trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges: racketeering and two counts of sex trafficking. However, the jury found him guilty on two lesser charges under the Mann Act for transporting women across state lines for the purpose of prostitution – one involving ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and the other involving an accuser identified only as “Jane.”

The charges stem from a sweeping federal indictment accusing Combs of leading a criminal organization for over two decades, allegedly involving sex trafficking, abuse, forced labor, drug offenses, and coercion. Combs, who had been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest in September 2023, pleaded not guilty to all five counts.

The verdict breakdown is as follows:

Count 1: Racketeering (RICO) – Not Guilty

Count 2: Sex Trafficking (Cassie Ventura) – Not Guilty

Count 3: Mann Act Transportation (Cassie Ventura) – Guilty

Count 4: Sex Trafficking (Jane) – Not Guilty

Count 5: Mann Act Transportation (Jane) – Guilty

Combs now faces up to 20 years in prison – 10 years for each Mann Act violation. Prosecutor Maurene Comey confirmed the government will seek incarceration. 

“There is serious conduct here that will mandate a lengthy period of incarceration,” she said in court.

The case gained national attention as part of the post #MeToo reckoning, following major trials involving Harvey Weinstein and  R. Kelly.

Combs’ legal troubles intensified after Ventura’s 2023 lawsuit alleging sexual abuse, trafficking, and coercion. Though that civil suit was settled within a day for $20 million, it reportedly sparked the federal investigation.

In the courtroom, the verdict brought a mix of emotion. Combs clasped his hands in prayer, then turned to the gallery, clapping as supporters erupted in applause. “Thank God,” he said repeatedly. His legal team embraced one another as chants of “dream team” were heard from the crowd.

"We’ve been saying all along in this case that it’s been overcharged by the government, that they were taking these very nuanced relationships, and trying to make them criminal. I think Marc [Agnifilo] did a really good job in his closing arguments, highlighting that to the jury," defense ally Donna Rotunno told Fox News. "Overall, this is a huge loss to the government, the money that they spent on this prosecution, the amount of press, notoriety, this is a definite win for Mr. Combs."

Sentencing arguments are expected in the coming weeks.

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