Sean Diddy Combs, the embattled US rapper, has been found guilty of transporting women for prostitution but cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
The music mogul, who has been on trial since May, was accused of abusing and coercing three alleged victims, including Cassie Ventura, his former long-term partner, and other crimes, including kidnapping, arson, and blackmail.
But on Wednesday, a New York jury returned a split verdict in the high-profile criminal trial, finding him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution, but not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The 12-member jury — eight men and four women — returned the verdict after 13 hours of deliberations over three days.
Combs held his hands up in a prayer motion and hugged Teny Geragos, his defence lawyer, as the verdict was read.
Despite the acquittals on the most severe charges, Diddy, 55, still faces legal consequences for arranging transportation for prostitution.
Racketeering conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, while the charge of sex trafficking carries a minimum of 15 years in prison. Transportation to engage in prostitution carries a maximum of 10 years for each count.
A sentencing hearing is expected in the coming months.
The prosecutors also released a statement shortly after the jury reached its verdict in the case against Diddy.
Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society. Victims endure gut-wrenching physical and mental abuse, leading to lasting trauma. New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice,” it reads.
Prosecuting sex crimes requires brave victims to come forward and tell their harrowing stories. We and our law enforcement partners recognize the hardships victims endure and have prioritized a victim-centered approach to investigating and prosecuting these cases.
Today we recognize the important work of the SDNY’s Civil Rights Unit as well as the tireless efforts of the women and men at HSI who are devoted to combatting human trafficking. We thank the Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York, Digital Forensic Unit and the Complex Analytics and Social Media Enhancement (CASE) Team at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. We would also like to thank our partners at the NYPD for their assistance in this matter and for sharing our victim-centered approach to combatting sex crimes.
Diddy was accused of sexually abusing 120 women and men, including a 9-year-old boy.
The Bad Boy Records founder was arrested in Manhattan on September 16, 2024, and was indicted by prosecutors in the southern district of New York.
