Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Convicted on Two of Five Counts in Sex Abuse Trial

Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty of a prostitution-related charge but cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering. He remains in custody and faces sentencing later.

A jury in the United States has found musician Sean “Diddy” Combs guilty of prostitution-related offenses, while acquitting him of more serious charges following a high-profile federal criminal trial.

Combs, a prominent figure in hip-hop music, was convicted on Wednesday of transporting individuals for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. However, he was cleared of more severe charges, including racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.

The verdict concluded a dramatic seven-week trial in which two of Combs’s former girlfriends—singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and another woman referred to as “Jane”—testified that Combs had physically and sexually abused them during their relationships.

The jury’s decision represents a partial legal victory for Combs, a former billionaire known for his influential role in shaping U.S. hip-hop culture through collaborations with artists like The Notorious B.I.G. and Usher.

After the jury announced the verdict, Combs’s defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, asked U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian to grant his client bail. “This is his first conviction, and it’s a prostitution offense,” Agnifilo said. “He should be released on appropriate conditions.”

Judge Subramanian denied the request, citing Combs’s admission to using violence against his former partners. The judge is expected to determine Combs’s sentence at a later date.

Combs’s acquittal on the sex trafficking charges spares him from a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. Had he been convicted of those charges or the racketeering offense, he could have faced life imprisonment.

Prosecutors alleged that Combs used his business empire over a span of two decades to coerce romantic partners into participating in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances involving male sex workers in hotel rooms—referred to as “freak-offs.”

Authorities reportedly found illegal drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricants during raids on Combs’s homes. Prosecutors said these were used during the sexual encounters.

Combs, 55, pleaded not guilty to all five charges. During the trial, his lawyers acknowledged that the founder of Bad Boy Records—long known for extravagant parties—had been violent in some of his relationships. However, they argued that all sexual activity described by the prosecution was consensual.

Combs has previously faced several civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. In November 2023, Ventura filed a sex trafficking lawsuit against him, which was later settled for $20 million. Combs has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

During the trial, jurors were shown surveillance footage from 2016 in which Combs was seen kicking and dragging Ventura in the hallway of an InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles. Ventura testified that she was attempting to leave a “freak-off” when the assault occurred.

Jane testified that in June 2024, Combs attacked her and directed her to perform oral sex on a male entertainer, despite her protests. The alleged assault occurred just one month after Combs publicly apologized on social media for his 2016 attack on Ventura—an incident broadcast on CNN.

In her closing argument on June 26, prosecutor Christy Slavik told jurors, “The defendant used power, violence, and fear to get what he wanted. He doesn’t take no for an answer.”

Defense attorneys argued that while Combs may have committed acts of domestic violence, his actions did not rise to the level of sex trafficking. They portrayed Ventura and Jane as strong, independent women who willingly participated in the sexual performances to please Combs.

The defense also claimed that the women’s accusations were influenced by jealousy over Combs’s involvement with other women. Both Ventura and Jane admitted to continuing to see Combs and participating in the performances after being physically assaulted.

“If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn’t all be here,” Agnifilo stated during closing arguments on June 27. “He did not do the things he’s charged with.”

Ventura’s attorney, Doug Wigdor, praised his client’s bravery, stating that she had “paved the way” for Combs’s conviction. “By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice,” he said.

In a separate statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York emphasized the broader societal impact of 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,” the statement read. “New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice.”