Rapper found guilty on prostitution charges, acquitted for sex trafficking

The verdict is in.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution but not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering in his highly publicized federal trial.

The jury — which consisted of eight men and four women — submitted a letter to the judge at around 9:52 a.m. ET, informing him that they had reached a unanimous decision on all counts.

Combs, 55, and members of his family were inside Manhattan federal court as the verdict was read.

The decision comes less than 24 hours after jurors announced Tuesday that they had reached a partial verdict on the two sex trafficking and two transportation to engage in prostitution counts, but were unable to reach a unanimous decision on the racketeering conspiracy charge.

“We have not reached a verdict on count 1 because we have unpersuadable jurors on both sides,” a note issued to the judge read, referring to the charge that falls under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which is typically used to prosecute the mob and drug cartels.

Judge Arun Subramanian then instructed the members of the panel to continue deliberating for a longer period of time in the hopes of reaching a conclusion.

The Bad Boy Records founder initially faced charges for sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, with a maximum sentence of life in prison.

However, on June 25, a day before closing arguments, prosecutors dropped attempted kidnapping, attempted arson and aiding and abetting sex trafficking, according to TMZ.

He was arrested in September 2024 following the government’s months-long probe, which included raids on his homes in Miami and Los Angeles that unearthed guns, thousands of bottles of lubricants and more.

Combs was held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, NY, leading up to and throughout his federal trial, which commenced May 5 with jury selection.

The trial was not televised, but captivated the world due to courtroom reporters’ up-to-the-minute updates and the mentions of big stars who would surprisingly pop up in testimonies from time to time.

Combs’ ex-girlfriend of more than a decade, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, delivered some of the most shocking testimony during her four days on the stand.

The “Me & U” singer, who testified while eight months pregnant but has since given birth, recalled how the “Last Night” rapper would emotionally, verbally and physically abuse her throughout their relationship.

She also detailed the infamous “Freak-Offs” they participated in together, which entailed her having sex with male escorts while Combs watched and gave them instructions from a nearby corner.

Ventura testified that the longest “Freak-Off” lasted around four days and that the sex acts often led to her having several medical issues, including stomach problems, urinary tract infections and mouth sores.

The “Long Way 2 Go” singer also revealed the staggering amount of money Combs paid her after they settled her rape lawsuit against him, which she filed in November 2023 and led to others coming forward.

The “All About the Benjamins” rapper’s lawyers pushed back on Ventura during her cross-examination, though, exposing her racy texts, which at times consisted of her wanting to initiate the “Freak-Offs.”

Prosecutors called a psychologist to testify at one point over why people stay in abusive relationships.

Another stand-out testimony came from rapper Kid Cudi, who accused Combs of breaking into his Los Angeles home in 2011 and burning his car with a Molotov cocktail shortly after because of the “Bad Boy for Life” rapper’s jealousy over his brief romance with Ventura, 38.

During Week 5 of the trial, another one of Combs’ exes, who testified using the pseudonym Jane Doe, took the stand. She made similar claims to Ventura, recounting the many “Freak-Offs” she participated in, which she said she did due to “emotional pressure.”

Doe — who was in an open relationship with Combs from 2021 to 2024 — often broke down in tears during her days-long testimony and admitted at one point on the stand that she still had feelings for him. She also said she admired the mogul, calling him a great “motivator.”

Aside from delving into his romantic past, prosecutors also called several of Combs’ former employees.

An ex-assistant named Capricorn Clark testified that her ex-boss once threatened to kill her and kidnapped her, forcing her to go to Cudi’s house.

Fashion stylist Bryana “Bana” Bongolan, for her part, claimed Combs once dangled her from a high-rise balcony. The “Gotta Move On” rapper’s lawyers vehemently denied that testimony and attempted to call a mistrial over it, claiming it could lead to an unfair conviction.

Combs has always maintained that he is innocent and denied any wrongdoing. He pleaded not guilty.

His children — Quincy, 34, Justin, 31, Christian, 27, Chance, 18, and twins D’Lila and Jessie, 18 — have supported him throughout the trial. He also has a 2-year-old daughter, Love.

One of Combs’ twins was spotted wiping away tears as she left the courthouse amid closing arguments.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.