Sean Combs Denied Bail After Federal Verdict \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering but convicted of prostitution-related charges under the federal Mann Act. The hip-hop mogul could still face up to 10 years in prison. His career, once untouchable, now stands tarnished amid serious allegations and pending lawsuits.
Quick Looks
- Diddy acquitted of racketeering, sex trafficking charges
- Convicted of transporting individuals for prostitution under Mann Act
- Faces up to 10 years, denied bond by judge
- Trial featured disturbing testimony from Cassie and others
- Cassie accused Combs of sexual coercion, violence, control
- Rapper Kid Cudi testified about threats, alleged car bombing
- Jury deliberated 13 hours, verdict came after three days
- Combs awaits sentencing on October 3; possible earlier hearing
Deep Look
Sean “Diddy” Combs, once revered as a hip-hop mogul, Grammy-winning artist, and fashion entrepreneur, was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering Wednesday—but a federal jury convicted him of lesser felony charges under the Mann Act, shattering the once-glittering image of the man formerly known as “Puff Daddy.”
Combs, 55, fell to his knees in prayer inside a packed federal courtroom following the verdict, which came after three days of tense jury deliberations. Although cleared of charges that could have imprisoned him for life, Combs now faces up to 10 years in prison for transporting individuals across state lines to engage in sex work, a felony violation of federal law.
Prosecutors said Combs flew women and male sex workers around the U.S. to participate in what they called “sex marathons,” allegedly orchestrated for his personal gratification. Jurors determined these acts violated the federal Mann Act, which prohibits interstate transport for the purposes of prostitution.
While the verdict spared Combs the most serious charges, it capped off a dramatic and destructive legal battle that exposed allegations of manipulation, coercion, and physical abuse behind the polished celebrity persona he long maintained.
The judge denied Combs’ request for bond, despite the defense’s argument that the acquittals altered the legal risk of fleeing. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo insisted Combs had “been given his life back” and would not pose a threat, but Judge Arun Subramanian rejected the plea, citing a lack of evidence that Combs would not endanger others or the community.
Combs has been jailed since his September arrest and will remain incarcerated until his sentencing, currently scheduled for October 3, though the court may move that date earlier. The sentencing guidelines suggest a potential prison term of two to five years, though prosecutors are pushing for more based on aggravating factors like alleged past violence.
The trial included 34 witnesses and video evidence, including footage of Combs physically assaulting Cassie Ventura, a former girlfriend and R&B singer. Ventura, who publicly came forward with allegations of abuse, delivered four days of harrowing testimony, recounting her 11-year relationship with Combs, which she described as defined by manipulation, public humiliation, and abuse.
Ventura testified that Combs controlled her through intimidation and forced her into degrading sexual situations, including voyeuristic encounters with male sex workers arranged by his team. These sessions, known as “freak-offs,” involved drugs, baby oil, and strict expectations. When she objected or resisted, she said, Combs physically assaulted her.
Her attorney, Douglas Wigdor, said Cassie’s testimony helped elevate awareness and accountability across the entertainment industry. “By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice,” he said in a statement.
Federal prosecutors argued that Combs weaponized his wealth and celebrity to create a toxic, dangerous environment. They painted a picture of a man who leveraged his status to dominate women and orchestrate an empire built, in part, on control and intimidation.
One woman, testifying anonymously as “Jane,” told the jury she was forced to engage in sex with men hired by Combs, despite repeatedly saying no. “I’m not an animal. I need a break,” she recounted telling him—testimony that was both emotional and damaging.
Adding another layer of notoriety to the trial was testimony from rapper Kid Cudi, real name Scott Mescudi, who alleged Combs was behind a suspected 2011 firebombing of his car after learning he was dating Cassie. Though Combs denied the accusation, Cudi’s statement tied the trial to long-standing whispers in the music industry about Combs’ behind-the-scenes behavior.
Combs’ defense team countered that the case was a gross invasion of privacy and portrayed the encounters as consensual, if unconventional. “He may have made homemade porn with girlfriends, but that’s not illegal,” said Agnifilo during closing arguments. The defense acknowledged that Combs could be aggressive but insisted it never rose to criminal conduct.
Still, the damage to Combs’ reputation may be irreversible. His initial fall began in November 2023 when Cassie filed a civil lawsuit alleging years of physical and sexual abuse. Though the case was settled within 24 hours for a reported $20 million, it triggered a cascade of similar lawsuits from both women and men, many of which are still pending.
This isn’t Combs’ first brush with the law. He was famously acquitted in 2001 of charges tied to a 1999 nightclub shooting, but rebounded quickly and reasserted his dominance in music, fashion, and media with ventures like Sean John, Ciroc vodka, and Revolt TV.
This time, however, public sentiment has shifted. Even before the jury’s decision, Combs had been dropped from brand endorsements, music projects stalled, and former collaborators distanced themselves. Industry insiders now speculate his career may not recover.
Federal officials used the verdict to emphasize broader societal concerns. “Sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and Ricky J. Patel of Homeland Security Investigations. “New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice.”
As the legal system prepares for Combs’ sentencing, the story of a hip-hop legend turned defendant serves as both a cautionary tale and a turning point in the culture’s reckoning with abuse of power and celebrity privilege.
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