Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.
The mixed result came on the third day of deliberations. It could still send Combs, 55, to prison for as long as a decade, and is likely to end his career as a hitmaking music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.
Combs pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Seven weeks into the trial, prosecutors dropped theories of attempted arson and kidnapping to streamline their racketeering conspiracy count.
Prosecutors called 34 witnesses since the trial’s start in early May, including two ex-girlfriends of Combs who testified they felt coerced into marathon sex events with male sex workers that were called “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.” Jurors were shown about 20 minutes of video recordings from the dayslong events. Defense lawyers, though, say they were consensual sexual encounters consistent with the swingers lifestyle.
R&B singer Cassie recounted a turbulent 10-year relationship with Combs that she said was consumed by violence and his obsession with a form of voyeurism. Combs chose not to testify.
A lawyer for the R&B singer, who previously dated Combs and testified that he beat and raped her, lauded her courage despite the verdict.
“Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution,” Douglas H. Wigdor said in a written statement.
“By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”
Overall, the jury deliberated for about 13 and a half hours over the course of three days.
At the time of publication, a judge will decide later this afternoon if the rapper will be released until a future sentencing date is set, which means he could be a free man.
However, the bombshell verdict was viewed by many as a major victory for Combs, who could potentially avoid very serious jail time.
Many experts took to social media to explain that the prosecution team did not do a good job and that despite his checkered past, Diddy did not warrant being found guilty of the most serious charges.
Complaints about the prosecution, which included Maurene Ryan Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, flooded social media.
“This was a terribly prosecuted case by the SDNY. They never made the case that trafficking was involved,” FOX & Friends host Lawrence Jones tweeted.
I called it. This was a terribly prosecuted case by the SDNY. They never made the case that trafficking was involved. As for RICO…. they weren't even close.
#Diddy— Lawrence Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) July 2, 2025
“I thought everyone knew Diddy wasn’t a trafficker, he was just a POS,” another X user wrote.
“Diddy is a POS but that man wasn’t running a criminal enterprise and the prosecutors knew it. Blame them for being greedy,” someone else wrote.
Diddy could still face up to 20 years in prison if given the 10-year maximum penalty for each guilty count.