Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody following a dramatic verdict in his high-profile federal trial on sex crimes.
Though acquitted of the most serious charges — including sex trafficking and racketeering — Combs was found guilty of multiple counts of transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution, a felony that carries up to 10 years per count.
The guilty verdicts stem from incidents involving his former partner, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, and another woman identified in court only as “Jane.” The court was shown disturbing video footage of Combs assaulting Ventura during a hotel encounter prosecutors described as part of orchestrated “freak-offs” — wild sex parties involving escorts, drugs, and abuse.
As the jury’s decision came in, Combs remained stoic. Moments before, he was seen quietly praying with his children in the courtroom.
Cassie Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, welcomed the ruling, saying, “He’s still facing substantial jail time. This is some justice, at last.”
Over seven weeks, the jury heard from 34 witnesses, including former employees, male escorts, and federal agents. The prosecution painted Combs as controlling and abusive, orchestrating elaborate sex events with help from staff who supplied drugs and other paraphernalia.
However, the jury concluded there was insufficient evidence to label Combs’ behavior as a criminal enterprise under racketeering laws or sex trafficking statutes — a nuance his defense team aggressively pushed. “Domestic abuse, however serious, is not the same as trafficking,” they argued successfully.
In a statement, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) called the mixed verdict “a measure of justice” and a “complex reflection” of how survivors navigate the justice system. “Real harm was done to real humans,” the organization stated. “Justice demands real consequences.”
Combs has been held since his arrest in September 2024. His sentencing date is expected to be set soon, with prosecutors seeking the maximum penalty.
