Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in his federal sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial on Wednesday. He was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy or two counts of sex trafficking.
The big picture: The rapper and music producer, who has been held in a Brooklyn detention center since September, had pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Multiple sexual assault lawsuits have been filed against Combs. Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges today and was found guilty on two lesser charges of transportation of former girlfriends for prostitution.
The verdict is seen as a victory for Combs, who was cleared of the most serious charges. His defense team opted not to call witnesses before it rested. The judge denied bail, and Combs will remain detained until his sentencing, which has been set for this fall.
Prosecutors said they will seek a four- to five-year prison sentence. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations.
Judge Subramanian acknowledged the “great divide” between prosecutors and defense lawyers in their desire for Combs’ sentencing. Subramanian scheduled a remote status conference for Tuesday to hash out some details of the sentencing, saying “time is of the essence.” Combs’ team is seeking a term of 21 to 27 months, while prosecutors want him to be sent to prison for 51 to 63 months. Combs will get credit for the time he has spent detained so far.
Combs has a propensity for violence that often takes place behind closed doors, Subramanian said in outlining the reasons he denied bail.
He said Combs has engaged in a yearslong pattern of violence and continues to be unable to follow the law. He said Ventura’s 2016 beating caught on hotel security cameras was without question an act of domestic violence.
Subramanian also noted that in June 2024 there was violence against “Jane,” one of the victims in the case, at a time when Combs should have known to keep himself clean and aboveboard. Homeland Security Investigations agents raided Combs’ homes in March 2024.
Combs supporters outside the courthouse were disappointed but not immediately angered by Subramanian’s ruling that will keep Combs in custody. Gasps and “aww, what?” reactions could be heard from the pro-Combs crowd outside federal court.
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