Diddy found guilty on some counts; here's what's next

NEW YORK - Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty of two prostitution-related charges but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering, which could have put him behind bars for life.

On Wednesday, jurors unanimously convicted him on counts 3 and 5 and found him not guilty on counts 1, 2, and 4 after three days of deliberations.

After the verdict, Combs could be seen kneeling and holding his hands in a prayer motion as he looked toward the gallery.

Diddy denied bail

What's next:

Combs now faces up to 20 years in prison, though the judge could issue concurrent sentences, which would cap his time at 10 years.

Sentencing was initially set for October 3, but his lawyers asked for a hearing to move that sooner.

In the meantime, they hoped he could be released to his Florida home, citing his "clean" record. Prosecutors objected, calling him a flight risk.

After reviewing letters from each side, Judge Arun Subramanian said the applicable law didn’t allow for Combs' release at this point.

Among other reasons, the judge noted Combs’ violent history: "At trial, the defense conceded the defendant's violence in his personal relationships, saying it happened with Cassie and Jane."

As the judge spoke, the AP reported, Combs remained stoic with his hands at his lap.

Who are the jurors?

The court has not released identifying information about the jurors, who were discreetly ushered into and out of the courthouse each day so that the media had no access to them.

People crowd the courthouse

Local perspective:

The trial-watching crowd outside the courthouse spent the day waiting for word on whether Diddy would be freed pending his sentencing.

In one bizarre celebration, the Associated Press reports that a woman danced around while a man poured baby oil on her, as homage to Diddy’s infamous "freak-offs. 

The crowd spilled into the street at times, prompting police officers to shoo them back to the sidewalk. Officers later added to a maze of barricades as more people gathered.

‘Transportation to engage in prostitution charge’: What is the Mann Act?

Dig deeper:

Combs was found not guilty of major charges Wednesday, but found guilty of a lesser prostitution offense. 

The guilty charges involve a felony violation of the federal Mann Act. The Mann Act is a federal law that makes it a crime to transport someone across state lines for illegal sexual activity.

The maximum penalty for violating the Mann Act is 10 years in prison and a fine.

Watch live coverage as news breaks in the media player above.

Diddy was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.

Diddy was found guilty on two counts of transportation for prostitution – one count relating to ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who testified, and one count relating to an unnamed woman, known as "Jane" throughout the trial. The second Mann Act charge was filed on April 3. 

Dawn Richard's lawyer seeks ‘complete justice’

What they're saying:

"Today’s split verdict is a disappointment, but the criminal charges are different than the civil claims we filed and have been fighting against Sean Combs," wrote Richard’s attorney, Lisa Bloom. "We will continue to aggressively fight our case until we obtain full and complete justice for Dawn."

RICO charge deliberations

The racketeering conspiracy charge is complex and required the jury to determine if Combs ran a "racketeering enterprise" involving offenses like kidnapping and arson, with a potential life sentence.

Previously, the jury had requested to review specific sections of testimony regarding the alleged beating of ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 and Cannes Film Festival in 2013. Another testimony requested was from stripper Daniel Phillip, who spoke about being paid to have sex with Cassie and witnessing her being beaten by Combs.

Jurors also sought clarification on the definition of drug distribution.

A source, who is a former federal prosecutor, told FOX 5 NY that for the jury to convict Sean "Diddy" Combs on the racketeering charge, they would have had to unanimously agree on two specific predicate acts he is guilty of. The jury's note about drug distribution suggests they may have struggled to identify which two predicate crimes Combs committed. 

What was Diddy charged with? What are the accusations?

The backstory:

Diddy, 55, pleaded not guilty to federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking — relating to ex-girlfriends Cassie and "Jane" — and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly sex workers across state lines.

Dig deeper:

He faced three charges, with five counts. Here's a closer look:

• Count 1: Racketeering Conspiracy.Count One charges that, from at least in or about 2004 through in or about 2024, the defendant participated in a racketeering conspiracy during which he agreed with other employees and associates of his businesses to commit kidnapping, arson, bribery of a witness, obstruction of justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of engaging in prostitution.
• Count One charges that, from at least in or about 2004 through in or about 2024, the defendant participated in a racketeering conspiracy during which he agreed with other employees and associates of his businesses to commit kidnapping, arson, bribery of a witness, obstruction of justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of engaging in prostitution.
• Count 2: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion.Count Two charges the defendant with sex trafficking an adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between ~2009 and ~2018.
• Count Two charges the defendant with sex trafficking an adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between ~2009 and ~2018.
• Count 3: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution.Count Three charges the defendant with transporting that female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between ~2009 and ~2018.
• Count Three charges the defendant with transporting that female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between ~2009 and ~2018.
• Count 4: Sex trafficking.Count Four charges the defendant with sex trafficking a second adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between ~2021 and ~2024.
• Count Four charges the defendant with sex trafficking a second adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between ~2021 and ~2024.
• Count 5: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution.Count Five charges the defendant with transporting that second female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between ~2021 and ~2024.
• Count Five charges the defendant with transporting that second female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between ~2021 and ~2024.

What happened during the trial?

Timeline:

The trial began with a video showing Sean "Diddy" Combs attacking his girlfriend Cassie, setting the stage for seven weeks of testimonies from 34 witnesses, including Cassie and another ex-girlfriend, Jane, who accused Combs of violent and abusive behavior.

Cassie and Jane detailed instances of physical abuse and coercion into sexual activities, with Cassie describing "freak-offs" and Jane recounting feeling pressured due to financial dependency. Both women claimed Combs threatened to release sex videos if they didn't comply.

Other witnesses, including rapper Kid Cudi and former employees, testified about Combs' violent behavior and threats, with accusations ranging from sexual assault to intimidation and property damage.

Combs' defense focused on discrediting the prosecution's witnesses, highlighting inconsistencies in their accounts and their continued interactions with Combs post-abuse. The defense did not call any witnesses and Combs chose not to testify.

Originally, prosecutors built their case around four main witnesses: Cassie, Jane, Mia and Gina. Gina was dropped from the case, though they were mentioned during the trial. The defense leveraged the absence of these testimonies to question the prosecution's narrative.

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