Sean “Diddy” Combs faces a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years after he was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Each count carries a sentence of a maximum of 10 years in prison. After Diddy, 55, was found guilty of both counts on Wednesday, July 2, the prosecution asked that both sentences be carried out consecutively, but it is up to the judge to decide on his potential sentence.
Diddy’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo asked the court to release the rapper on bail to his Miami home until his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled. The prosecution asked for Diddy to remain in custody. The judge granted the prosecution a few hours to write a letter in order to state their case for keeping Diddy in custody.
On Wednesday, Diddy was acquitted on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
The 12-person jury, which included eight men and four women, began deliberations on Monday, June 30. Judge Arun Subramanian instructed them that they “must not be swayed by bias and sympathy.”
“Your verdict must be unanimous, but you are not bound to sharing your honest convictions,” Subramanian added.
The jury had previously reached a verdict on four out of five counts on Tuesday, July 1, but they remained deadlocked on the racketeering conspiracy charge, which led to continued deliberations on Wednesday.
Diddy pleaded not guilty to all charges following his arrest in New York in September 2024.
The “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper and his lawyers maintained his innocence after he was accused by multiple people in the last two years of sexual assault and sex trafficking. His ex-girlfriend Cassie filed a lawsuit in November 2023 claiming that Diddy abused her throughout their nearly 10-year relationship. The lawsuit was settled one day after it was filed.
Cassie, 38, was a key witness in Diddy’s trial, as was an unnamed Jane Doe. Much of the trial focused on the alleged “freak offs” that were orchestrated by the music producer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson claimed that Cassie “tried the first freak off because she loved the defendant and wanted to make him happy.” Meanwhile, Jane Doe was allegedly under the impression that the freak off she attended was “a one-time wild night.”
Diddy’s attorney Teny Geragos stated, “Every witness in this case had free choice to make the choices they made.”
The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs began in New York City on May 5 following his September 2024 arrest on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. The process began with jury selection, which was finalized on May 12 before opening arguments started that same day. Diddy, 55, has pleaded […]
After the verdict was reached on Wednesday, Cassie’s lawyer Douglas H. Wigdor shared a statement with Us Weekly.
“This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023. Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution,” the statement read.
Wigdor continued, “By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. We must repeat — with no reservation — that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
