Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bond after being convicted of prostitution-related offenses Wednesday. He was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.
Combs remains in custody as he awaits sentencing. His attorneys wanted him released on a $1 million bond, but Judge Arun Subramanian ruled against that request, saying the applicable law didn’t allow for Combs’ release at this point.
The judge has not yet set a sentencing date for Combs. The maximum possible sentence for each of Combs’ two guilty counts is 10 years in prison.
After hearing the verdict, Combs held his hands up in a prayer motion, looking at the jury and hugging defense lawyer Teny Geragos. Combs later continued to pump his right fist subtly, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges.
Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco, who holds a Ph.D. in criminology, law and society and serves as a human trafficking expert witness in criminal and civil court, said on Wednesday that the sex trafficking charges didn’t stick because Combs did not engage in sex trafficking.
Prosecutors argued that he controlled these women by buying them houses and expensive things, but Mehlman-Orozco said that’s the polar opposite of what a trafficker typically does. Traffickers will deprive you of things and take your money, she said.
Mehlman-Orozco also said prosecutors weren’t able to charge him with assault-related crimes because the statute of limitations had elapsed. And she said that is a problem.
“We have now seen on an international stage what happens when we don’t have a long enough statute of limitations for domestic violence or intimate partner violence charges,” she said. “This should be a catalyst for reform.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.