A look at the potential sentence faced by Sean 'Diddy' Combs in his sex trafficking trial

After deliberating for less than an hour Wednesday morning, the jury in the Shandy Combs case indicated that they had reached *** unanimous verdict not guilty on the most serious charges of racketeering conspiracy, but guilty of transportation. To engage in prostitution. This ruling from the jury in this case prompted big reactions from Holmes and his family who were overjoyed at this news and big reactions outside of the courthouse where Holmes has some supporters. The jury in the federal trial of hip hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs has come to *** verdict guilty on the charge of transportation to engage in prostitution, but not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The jury made up of 8 men and 4 women, heard from 34 witnesses called by the prosecution, including two of Combs's former girlfriends, Cassie Ventura, and *** woman testifying under the. Alias Jane. Both women testified Combs forced them to engage in sexual encounters referred to as freak offs and hotel nights. Ventura spoke on the stand about violence she endured throughout the course of her 11-year relationship with Combs. Jurors watched this hotel surveillance video from 2016 showing Combs dragging and kicking Ventura several times throughout the course of the trial. Ventura's attorney read *** statement from her after she testified, I hope that my testimony has given strength. And *** voice to other survivors and can help others who have suffered to speak up. Combs's defense team never denied allegations of domestic abuse but instead argued the two women participated willingly in the sexual encounters. Jurors heard from Combs's former personal assistants, *** male sex worker, and other former employees. The defense rested its case after less than 30 minutes, only reading text messages into the record. Combs did not testify. Transportation to engage in prostitution carries *** possible maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. At this point we don't know if Holmes is going to be released from custody today while he awaits that sentencing. That's something the judge will rule on later this afternoon in lower Manhattan. I'm Lee Waldman reporting.

Updated: 11:33 AM CDT Jul 2, 2025

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A look at the potential sentence faced by Sean 'Diddy' Combs in his sex trafficking trial

Updated: 11:33 AM CDT Jul 2, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The jury in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking trial convicted him of a prostitution-related crime but cleared him of sex trafficking and racketeering charges.Here's what we know about the potential sentence:What were the charges against Sean "Diddy" Combs?The three-time Grammy Award winner was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters.The government said Combs coerced women into abusive sex parties involving hired male sex workers, ensured their compliance with drugs like cocaine and threats to their careers, and silenced victims through blackmail and violence that included kidnapping, arson and beatings.The jury, however, acquitted Combs of the most serious charges, which could have carried a sentence of up to life in prison.Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, portrayed the Bad Boy Records founder as the victim of overzealous prosecutors who exaggerated elements of his lifestyle and recreational drug use to bring charges that resulted in what he called a "fake trial." He said the women were willing participants.What is racketeering conspiracy?Combs defeated the racketeering conspiracy charge. Authorities had accused him of running a criminal enterprise that relied on bodyguards, household staff, personal assistants and others in his orbit to facilitate and cover up crimes.It's commonly used to tackle organized crime, with prosecutors using the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, to take on the Mafia in the 1970s.To prove the charge, prosecutors had to show that an enterprise existed and was involved in a pattern of racketeering activity. In this case, the alleged activity included kidnapping, arson, bribery and sex trafficking.How long did the jury work?Deliberations began Monday.The panel of eight men and four women finished its work Wednesday, a day after telling U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that it was stuck on one of the five charges, racketeering.The judge said it was too soon to give up and ordered the jury to keep trying to reach a unanimous verdict.Combs pumped his right fist after hearing that he was acquitted of the most serious charges.What sentence does Combs face?Prosecutors said they would seek a prison term. The maximum is 10 years.The judge in the case may provide updates later Wednesday.

The jury in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking trial convicted him of a prostitution-related crime but cleared him of sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

Here's what we know about the potential sentence:

What were the charges against Sean "Diddy" Combs?

The three-time Grammy Award winner was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters.

The government said Combs coerced women into abusive sex parties involving hired male sex workers, ensured their compliance with drugs like cocaine and threats to their careers, and silenced victims through blackmail and violence that included kidnapping, arson and beatings.

The jury, however, acquitted Combs of the most serious charges, which could have carried a sentence of up to life in prison.

Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, portrayed the Bad Boy Records founder as the victim of overzealous prosecutors who exaggerated elements of his lifestyle and recreational drug use to bring charges that resulted in what he called a "fake trial." He said the women were willing participants.

What is racketeering conspiracy?

Combs defeated the racketeering conspiracy charge. Authorities had accused him of running a criminal enterprise that relied on bodyguards, household staff, personal assistants and others in his orbit to facilitate and cover up crimes.

It's commonly used to tackle organized crime, with prosecutors using the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, to take on the Mafia in the 1970s.

To prove the charge, prosecutors had to show that an enterprise existed and was involved in a pattern of racketeering activity. In this case, the alleged activity included kidnapping, arson, bribery and sex trafficking.

How long did the jury work?

Deliberations began Monday.

The panel of eight men and four women finished its work Wednesday, a day after telling U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that it was stuck on one of the five charges, racketeering.

The judge said it was too soon to give up and ordered the jury to keep trying to reach a unanimous verdict.

Combs pumped his right fist after hearing that he was acquitted of the most serious charges.

What sentence does Combs face?

Prosecutors said they would seek a prison term. The maximum is 10 years.

The judge in the case may provide updates later Wednesday.

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