By Yaw Opoku Amoako
Hip-hop mogul Sean 鈥淒iddy鈥 Combs was found guilty on Wednesday of transporting women across state lines for prostitution, but a New York federal jury cleared him of more severe charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
The 55-year-old music executive was convicted on two counts under the Mann Act, a century-old federal law that criminalizes the transportation of individuals for immoral purposes. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, and prosecutors have said they will push for a substantial prison term.
As the verdict was read, an emotional Combs dropped to his knees and began praying, while his family applauded and cheered inside the courtroom.
Legal Battle Over Custody
Following the verdict, Combs’ legal team requested his immediate release, arguing that this was his first conviction and that he should be allowed to return home to Miami. Federal prosecutors pushed back, asking Judge Arun Subramanian to keep the music mogul in custody until sentencing.
The judge has yet to rule on his detention status, asking both sides to submit written arguments before a final decision is made. The court is expected to resume discussions shortly.
Charges and Background
Combs was originally indicted in September 2024 on three charges, with prosecutors later expanding the case to five counts. The most serious accusations centered around an alleged criminal enterprise that spanned decades and involved abuse, coercion, and elaborate cover-ups.
The five charges were:
Racketeering conspiracy
Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion (Casandra Ventura aka Cassie)
Transportation to engage in prostitution (Cassie)
Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion (“Jane,” a pseudonym)
Transportation to engage in prostitution (“Jane”)
He was convicted only on the final two prostitution-related counts involving Cassie and Jane.
Emotional Testimonies and High-Profile Witnesses
During the seven-week trial, prosecutors called over 30 witnesses, including former girlfriends Cassie Ventura and another woman referred to as 鈥淛ane.鈥 Both described disturbing details of their time with Combs, including allegations of emotional control, coercion, and violent sexual encounters.
Ventura, who dated Combs for over a decade, testified about “freak-offs” 鈥 sex sessions with multiple partners that she said she was pressured into. She also recounted a widely publicized 2016 hotel hallway assault, which was caught on video and later acknowledged by Combs in a public apology.
Jane shared similar stories, including what she referred to as “hotel nights” where she engaged in sex acts with male escorts while Combs watched. She testified that she repeatedly expressed her discomfort but continued due to financial dependence.
Combs鈥 defense attorneys argued the encounters were consensual and challenged the credibility of the witnesses. They highlighted messages from the accusers suggesting voluntary participation and argued that prosecutors had conflated a lavish, unconventional lifestyle with criminal behavior.
Prosecutors vs Defense
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik portrayed Combs as the leader of a carefully maintained criminal network that used his fame and resources to exploit women and silence dissent. She said he relied on loyal staff to orchestrate cover-ups and bribe potential whistleblowers.
In contrast, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo insisted the government had exaggerated the nature of Combs鈥 private life, saying, 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 commit racketeering. He didn鈥檛 traffic anyone.鈥
What’s Next?
Combs awaits sentencing on the two convictions, and a key decision about his custody status is pending. The case, one of the most high-profile celebrity criminal trials in recent years, has reignited public discussions about power dynamics, abuse, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
While he avoided the more damning charges that could have seen him imprisoned for life, Combs still faces a possible 20-year sentence based on the two counts for which he was found guilty.