Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty on two counts of transportation for purposes of prostitution in his lengthy sex trafficking trial.
After weeks of testimony, jurors reached a verdict in Combs' case today (July 2), and found the rapper guilty on two counts: Transportation to engage in prostitution pertaining to 'Victim 1', Cassie Ventura, and commercial sex workers; and Transportation to engage in prostitution pertaining to Victim 2, known by the pseudonym "Jane”, and commercial sex workers.
The jury also determined that Combs was not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, and two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
If convicted of all counts, Combs would have faced up to life in prison as a result of the racketeering conspiracy charge.
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However, now that he's been acquitted on that charge, the time he may spend behind bars has reduced significantly.
Each count of transportation for purposes of prostitution carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. With Combs having been found guilty on two counts, he could spend up to 20 years behind bars.
The verdict comes after Combs was first taken into custody during his arrest in September 16, 2024.
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He was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, and has remained there throughout the duration of his trial despite his lawyers' request for him to be released on bail.
A New York federal judge denied the request and claimed Combs was a ‘serious flight risk’. The rapper has since appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit.
In the wake of the verdict, federal prosecutors said they would seek the maximum sentence of 20 years in total, NBC News reports.
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The decision to acquit Combs on three of the five charges may come as a shock to many following weeks of witness testimony offered up by the prosecution, in comparison to the defense which took less than an hour to deliver their case.
Among the witnesses called to the stand for the prosecution was Cassie Ventura, who shared details of her on-again, off-again relationship with Combs between 2007 and 2018.
During her testimony, Cassie discussed taking part in so-called ‘freak-offs’ with Combs, which left her feeling 'grimy' and 'dirty’. She also claimed she felt pressure to take part, telling the court of one particular incident in which she agreed to participate after Combs ‘asked [her] over and over again'.
Combs did not speak during the trial to defend himself.
Emily Brown