BREAKING: The Jury Has Acquitted Sean “Diddy” Combs' Of Multiple Counts of Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Charges, But Found Him Guilty of The Two Lesser Charges

Amanda Edwards. Getty Images.

NYT- Sean Combs, the hip-hop mogul who once ran a sprawling business empire, was convicted on Wednesday of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution after an eight-week trial.

But a federal jury in Manhattan acquitted Mr. Combs, 55, of the most serious charges against him, sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, in a case that accused the famed producer of coercing two former girlfriends, Casandra Ventura and a woman who testified pseudonymously as “Jane,” into unwanted sex with male prostitutes, aided by a team of pliant employees.

Even with a partial conviction, the result is something of a victory for Mr. Combs, who faced a possible life sentence had he been convicted of other counts in the case. The prostitution charge, under the federal Mann Act, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

For a trial that's been nothing but a circus from the moment it began 7 weeks ago, yesterday couldn't have been more fitting.

The jury reached out to the judge, informing them that they had reached a verdict on 4 of the 5 charges, but were in a deadlock on the fifth. They asked for instruction, hoping they would be let off the hook, or that a mistrial would magically be declared, but the judge told them to get their asses back in the deliberation room and get it figured out.

(Contrary to this report, RICO which has 10-year minimum life maximum is not "the most serious charge." Charges II and IV are for violating 18 USC 1591 and carry a 15-year minimum (life maximum) sentence.)

They adjourned later that evening and returned bright and early this morning where it appears the juror or jurors who were undecided or on the fence woke up this morning with a change of heart… (Or actually wanted to enjoy their 4th of July weekend and wanted to get to it).

Advertisement

Regardless, after today's verdict reads, Sean Combs isn't looking at spending the rest of his life in prison. His image and reputation might be obliterated to smithereens, and he may be more radioactive than Chernobyl, but depending how sentencing goes, there's a very real possibility he won't have to eat and sleep in jail anymore- which he's been doing since he was arrested and denied bail back in September of 2024. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here personally. 

Does he go the Mike Vick route, and do a complete 180 ,and spend the rest of his life trying to atone for everything that has been exposed these last few years?

Or does he go on a warpath, looking to destroy everybody who tried to double-cross him and take him down?

One thing is for sure, the people who witnessed most of the crimes firsthand (some would call that being complicit), Diddy's inner circle, including some of his lead bodyguards, aren't taking any chances. They were so afraid of what would happen if he were acquitted that they fled the country weeks ago and are trying to hide out. 

There will for sure be more to come from this- with jurors being constantly scolded, instructed, and even removed these past two months, it's pretty much a guarantee they will be racing for the CNN and ABC exclusive interviews to tell their stories. And you know Diddy is going to have LOTS to say, if and when he's allowed to. 

But one thing that I think pretty much everybody who's followed this thing since things really blew up last May of 2024 can agree on I think, is what a piss poor case the federal government brought against Combs. Which is shocking considering their conviction rate, and the fact that they don't really bring charges, especially against huge-name celebrities, unless they pretty much have you dead to rights. 

When the RICO charges were announced, and the terms "racketeering" and "criminal enterprise" were getting thrown around, I think our minds were really blown, thinking we had only seen the tip of the iceberg and that a lot more nefarious information was going to come out, with lots of bigger names attached to it. 

But that never happened. 

Is Diddy a gigantic scumbag? Yes. Did he mistreat women for his own entertainment? Yes. 

But did he run a media empire that was essentially a front for a sex trafficking and abuse ring, as the government alleged? 

I don't know. Because they did such a poor job of proving that part. 

Again, it will be interesting to see where things go from here.

A sentencing date is yet to be announced. The experts I've read say that he is facing potentially 10 years in prison for the crimes he was found guilty of, with the likelihood of doing 5-7 years of time. But some also say he might get to go home with a heavy probation.