New York, July 2, 2025 – A Manhattan federal jury found Sean “Diddy” Combs guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution—charges related to ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and “Jane”—while acquitting him on more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
Jury Verdict & Legal Implications
- Combs was convicted under the federal Mann Act on two prostitution counts but was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two sex trafficking charges, each carrying potential life sentences.
- The prosecution alleged Combs used threats and physical force to coerce the women into orchestrated hotel “freak-off” events.
- Defense attorneys acknowledged instances of abuse but emphasized consensual participation, highlighted by personal communications between Combs and the women.
Detention & Sentencing Timeline
- Judge Arun Subramanian denied bail, citing Combs’s “propensity for violence,” keeping him detained until sentencing.
- He will remain at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center and receive credit for time served.
- Each conviction carries up to 10 years in prison, but sentencing guidelines suggest 51–63 months (4–5 years).
- Sentencing has been scheduled for October 3, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Fallout & Reaction
- Combs’s defense team called the mixed verdict a “major victory,” pointing to the acquittals on the most serious counts.
- Cassie Ventura’s lawyer noted her civil complaint helped secure the prostitution convictions.
- Observers suggest the department overreached by applying racketeering charges to intimate conduct, though expert criticism noted weaknesses in the prosecution’s strategy.
News Summary
- Verdict: Guilty on two prostitution counts, acquitted on racketeering and sex trafficking.
- Status: Incarcerated without bail; sentencing scheduled for October 3, 2025.
- Next steps: Defense may file motions or appeal; Combs faces numerous existing civil suits.
- Impact: Avoided life in prison, but exposure to multi-year prison term and significant legal and reputational consequences.
Sources:
What to Know About Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Lawyers Acknowledged Abuse in Successful Trial Strategy
Judge Schedules Diddy’s Sentencing After Denying Him Bail
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Verdict: Guilty of Prostitution, Acquitted of Sex Trafficking
Featured Image Courtesy of: EURweb
Sean “Diddy” Combs Defense Team
- Marc Agnifilo – Lead Defense Attorney
- Teny Geragos
- Alexandra Shapiro
- Brian Steel
- Xavier Donaldson
- Anna Estevao
- Jason Driscoll
- Linda Moreno
Defense team source: ABC News
