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Diddy: Acquitted of Sex Trafficking, Convicted on Prostitution

Published On: July 2, 2025
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A seismic verdict has reverberated through the music world and beyond, as hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs found himself facing a complex legal outcome. On Wednesday, Combs was acquitted of the most severe accusations leveled against him – racketeering conspiracy and multiple counts of sex trafficking. However, the celebrated artist was simultaneously found guilty on two distinct counts related to prostitution, delivering a nuanced, partial victory for his defense team and a significant setback for federal prosecutors.

The convictions center on the charge of transportation to engage in prostitution. While these carry a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison for each count, the acquittals on sex trafficking mean Combs dodges a mandatory minimum of 15 years, and the possibility of life imprisonment, had he been convicted on those graver charges. The exact duration of his confinement will be determined later by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.

A Moment of Emotional Release in the Courtroom

As the judge concluded proceedings and dismissed the jury, a visibly relieved Combs knelt beside his chair, seemingly in prayer. He then rose, his face breaking into a smile, and addressed the courtroom gallery. “I’m gonna be home soon,” he declared, clasping his hands. “I love you. Thank you, I love you.” His family and supporters in the gallery erupted in a crescendo of applause and cheers, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the Manhattan federal court for weeks.

Following the verdict, defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo immediately petitioned Judge Subramanian for Combs’ release on bail, a request fiercely opposed by the prosecution. The judge has since requested both legal teams submit written arguments on the matter, with a deadline set for 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT).

Unveiling the “Freak Offs” and Allegations of Coercion

Central to the prosecution’s case were disturbing allegations that for two decades, Combs leveraged his vast business empire to compel two of his romantic partners into participation in “Freak Offs.” These events, described as drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances often involving male sex workers in hotel rooms, were allegedly observed, masturbated to, and occasionally filmed by Combs himself. Authorities, during raids on Combs’ residences, reportedly discovered illicit drugs and an astonishing quantity – 1,000 bottles – of baby oil and lubricant, items prosecutors linked directly to these purported performances.

The 55-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records, once lauded for his lavish parties in exclusive locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, had maintained a plea of not guilty to all five charges. While his defense team conceded that Combs had, at times, engaged in violent behavior within his domestic relationships, they vehemently argued that the sexual activities described by the prosecution were entirely consensual, a point of crucial contention throughout the trial.

Explosive Testimonies: Cassie Ventura and “Jane”

The seven-week trial laid bare the intricate, often volatile, dynamics within Combs’ personal and professional spheres. The 12-member jury was privy to an intimate, unsparing look into his relationships with rhythm and blues singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and another woman identified in court only by the pseudonym “Jane.”

Ventura’s testimony was particularly impactful, especially given her November 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs for sex trafficking – a suit that ultimately led to a $20 million settlement. Jurors were shown damning surveillance footage from 2016, depicting Combs physically assaulting Ventura – kicking and dragging her in the hallway of an InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles, where she claimed she was attempting to escape a “Freak Off.” This visual evidence resonated deeply, particularly as it aired on CNN just a month after Combs had publicly apologized on social media for the very incident.

“Jane” subsequently testified about a separate alleged attack in June 2024, where she claimed Combs assaulted her and then directed her to perform oral sex on a male entertainer, despite her explicit objections.

The Prosecution’s Theory of Compulsion and Racketeering

Prosecutors argued that these acts of physical violence were merely one facet of Combs’ coercive tactics. They contended he also employed threats – specifically, withholding financial support or leaking sexually explicit images – to compel Ventura and Jane into participating in these performances. The crux of their sex trafficking argument hinged on the fact that the male escorts involved were paid, thus making the forced participation an act of trafficking.

“The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” asserted prosecutor Christy Slavik in her closing argument on June 26. “He doesn’t take no for an answer.”

The defense, however, painted a different picture, acknowledging Combs’ past domestic violence but adamantly denying it constituted sex trafficking. Defense lawyers portrayed Ventura and Jane as strong, independent women who willingly engaged in sexual performances, driven by a desire to please Combs. They highlighted instances where both women reportedly continued to spend time with Combs and participate in sexual acts even after alleged beatings, suggesting their current accusations were a retrospective fabrication, possibly fueled by jealousy over Combs seeing other women.

“If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn’t all be here,” Combs’ defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo argued in his closing statement on June 27. “He did not do the things he’s charged with.”

Beyond the Relationships: Broader Allegations of a Criminal Enterprise

The trial’s scope extended beyond Combs’ intimate relationships, delving into the broader allegations of a racketeering conspiracy. Jurors heard from Combs’ former personal assistants who testified their duties included arranging hotel rooms for “Freak Offs” and procuring drugs for their boss. An InterContinental security guard recounted being paid a staggering $100,000 by Combs, in the presence of his chief of staff, to hand over what the guard believed was the sole copy of the surveillance footage depicting the attack on Ventura.

Adding another layer to the prosecution’s narrative, rapper Scott Mescudi, known as Kid Cudi, told jurors he believed Combs was likely involved in an arson incident targeting his car after Combs discovered Mescudi’s romantic involvement with Ventura. Prosecutors asserted these actions, from setting up illicit events to alleged cover-ups, were undertaken by Combs and his associates to further a racketeering conspiracy designed to facilitate his abuse and suppress evidence of his alleged wrongdoing.

The defense countered these claims by portraying Combs as a highly successful entrepreneur who engaged in recreational drug use but maintained a clear separation between his professional and personal lives. Combs, who has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest, now awaits the next chapter in this complex legal saga.

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