Sean "Diddy" Combs has been found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges. The mixed verdict followed a seven-week trial in New York, where jurors heard evidence regarding allegations of sexual abuse, coercion, and violence.
Combs was convicted of violating the Mann Act, a federal law that prohibits the transportation of individuals across state lines for prostitution or other illegal sexual activity. Specifically, the charges relate to flying women, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, across the country for sexual encounters. The jury found him not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking involving his former romantic partners, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, and another woman known as "Jane".
Each of the two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. However, the ultimate sentence is up to the judge, Arun Subramanian, who will have considerable discretion. Federal sentencing guidelines, which take various factors into account, are expected to play a significant role in determining the actual prison term.
Combs' defense team argues that the sentencing guidelines should result in a more lenient sentence, potentially around two years, while prosecutors are expected to push for a "substantial period of incarceration," estimating a prison term of more than four years. Prosecutors, citing his violence and other factors, said the guidelines would call for at least four to five years. Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey estimated in a court filing that the sentencing guidelines could justify a prison term of five years. The defense suggested as little as 21 months, minus what Combs has already served.
Judge Subramanian has already denied Combs' request to be released on bail while awaiting sentencing, citing evidence presented at trial of violent acts he had committed. He stated that Combs was unable to demonstrate that he poses no danger to any person or the community. Combs has been in custody since his arrest in September and will remain in federal lock-up in Brooklyn.
The judge has scheduled a hearing for July 8 to discuss the sentencing process. A sentencing date has been proposed for October 3.
The trial revealed conflicting narratives, with prosecutors portraying Combs as coercing women into abusive sex parties, ensuring their compliance through drugs and threats, and silencing victims through blackmail and violence. The defense countered that the women were willing participants and that Combs' behavior, while not exemplary, did not warrant the serious charges. They conceded Combs could be violent, had a bad temper and used drugs.
The mixed verdict represents a partial victory for Combs, who avoided the possibility of life in prison on the sex trafficking and racketeering charges. However, the convictions for prostitution-related offenses have significantly tarnished his reputation and derailed his career. Once known for founding Bad Boy Records in the 1990s with icons like the Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Ma$e and 112, Combs was convicted of prostitution-related offences but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges.
