NEW YORK (Scripps) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail after being acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges but found guilty of lesser charges related to prostitution following a highly anticipated federal criminal trial in New York City.
In this courtroom sketch, Sean “Diddy” Combs reacts after he was convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Manhattan federal court in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)
“Today is a victory of all victories for Sean Combs and our legal team,” defense attorney for Combs, Marc Agnifilo said.
The final verdict was reached on Wednesday morning, a day after jurors informed the court that they had only reached a partial verdict.
The 55-year-old music mogul had been accused of two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
He was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution involving two of his ex-girlfriends, who testified during the trial. It’s a lesser charge that does not carry as high a penalty as the more serious crimes he was accused of, which could have ended with life in prison.
Combs faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of the two charges on which he was found guilty, but it remains unclear if prosecutors will seek that maximum sentence. The judge in the case has set a temporary sentencing date for Oct. 3.
Combs’ defense attorneys filed a motion for him to be released from custody, which he has been in for about nine months, following the verdict.
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Combs’ defense attorneys filed a motion for his release from custody, which he has been in for about nine months, following the verdict. The bail conditions requested included:
- $1 million bond co-signed by Combs, his mother, sister and the mother of his oldest daughter
- Travel restricted to the Southern District of Florida and Central District of California, where he has residences, as well as certain parts of New York or New Jersey, in order for him to attend court and meet with his counsel.
- Surrendering his passport
- Drug testing
- Other standard conditions of pretrial supervision
Meanwhile, the prosecution filed a motion against his immediate release. One of the witnesses who testified during the trial, celebrity stylist Deonte Nash, submitted a letter with the motion, requesting that Combs not be released from custody due to fear of retaliation.
LAS VEGAS – SEPTEMBER 08: Rapper P. Diddy and Singer Cassie pose for photos at Cassie’s 21st Birthday at Jet Nightclub at The Mirage Hotel and Casino on September 08, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage for Jet Nightclub)
“Mr. Combs has a long, well-documented history of violent, coercive, and retaliatory behavior. Over the years, he has repeatedly escaped meaningful accountability, and each time this has only reinforced his sense of impunity,” Nash wrote. “If he is released now, I have no doubt he will see it as yet another license to continue intimidating, threatening, and harming people who challenge or expose him.”
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On Tuesday, the jury stated that it was struggling to reach a decision on the racketeering charge but had reached a verdict on the other four charges.
The judge asked jurors to continue deliberating until they reached an agreement on all of the counts. The jury decided to continue deliberating the final charge on Wednesday.
Just a few hours into its third day of deliberations, the jury alerted the court it had reached a final verdict.
To find Combs guilty on the racketeering conspiracy charge, the jury would have had to distinguish which five predicate acts within the charge Combs was guilty of. Those included, per the jury’s verdict form, include kidnapping, arson, bribery, witness tampering and forced labor.
The jury, comprising eight men and four women residing in New York City, heard testimony from 34 witnesses over a two-month period.
Combs’ sentencing is scheduled for October 3, although the judge indicated that the date could possibly be moved up.
Scripps News, an E.W. Scripps Company, originally published this story.
