Diddy Acquitted of Major Charges, Convicted on Two Lesser Counts in Federal Trial

Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been acquitted of the most serious charges in his high-profile federal trial, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. However, the 55-year-old was found guilty on two counts related to transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution, each count carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The jury of 12 , eight men and four women, deliberated for 13 hours across three days before delivering the split verdict.

Smiling as the judgment was announced, Combs thanked jurors and exchanged handshakes with his legal team.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian commended the jury for their commitment, noting their attendance “every day, rain or shine,” before officially dismissing them. The charges stemmed from allegations that Combs operated a decades-long criminal network, directing staff and security to carry out crimes ranging from drug trafficking and bribery to witness intimidation and arson.

Prosecutors claimed Combs ran this network with the discipline of a crime boss - allegations he firmly denied.

Jurors were ultimately not convinced there was enough evidence to support a conviction for racketeering or sex trafficking, which would have required proving the existence of an organized criminal enterprise and repeated criminal acts.

The trial featured emotional and, at times, graphic testimony from two women , singer Casandra Ventura and a second woman referred to as "Jane", both of whom said they endured years of abuse and coercion while in long-term relationships with Combs.

They claimed he forced them to participate in group sex and controlled them through threats and violence.

While the defense acknowledged there was domestic abuse, they argued the sexual encounters were consensual and denied all trafficking allegations. One video of Combs physically assaulting Ventura surfaced during the trial, further complicating his defense.

In closing arguments, the prosecution said Combs believed himself “untouchable” and dismissed the voices of those he harmed. “He never thought the women he abused would stand up and tell the truth,” said lead prosecutor Maurene Comey.

Although Combs escaped the most severe charges, the convictions on the prostitution-related offenses could still result in significant prison time. Sentencing is expected later this year.