Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs acquitted of 3 charges in sex trafficking trial
Of five total charges, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was only found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in a sex trafficking trial.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial has come to an end with a mixed verdict, after a jury acquitted the music mogul on the top charges, and found him guilty of a lesser transportation to engage in prostitution counts.
But the once-celebrated rap icon’s two-month trial, which revealed startling and far-reaching allegations of physical, sexual and psychological abuse, doesn’t end this chapter of Combs’ troubles.
While some companies and institutions have cut ties, much of the hip-hop world has yet to fully grapple with the case. Whether former collaborators acknowledge the allegations, the response – or lack of one – will reflect the genre’s broader reckoning with power, abuse and accountability.
After the verdict, the embattled hip-hop figure was taken into custody to await a decision on his possible release and sentencing. And with nearly 80 physical and sexual assault civil lawsuits still pending, as well as new accusers continuing to emerge, the fallout from the allegations is likely to continue playing out in courtrooms – and in public – for years to come.
Here’s what to know about what comes next.
Did Diddy win his trial?
Yes and no. After nearly two months of daily court appearances in his hometown of New York City, Combs faced a split verdict on July 2, convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted of two counts of sex trafficking as well as of racketeering, the top charge.
How long is Diddy going to jail?
The Bad Boy Records founder faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of his transportation to engage in prostitution charges. With guilty verdicts on two counts, he could face a maximum of 20 years in prison.
On the charges he was acquitted of, racketeering carried a maximum sentence of life in prison. Sex trafficking had a 15-year mandatory minimum and maximum of life in prison.
When did Diddy go to jail? Is Diddy getting released?
Combs has been incarcerated at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested on Sept. 16. Combs’ lawyers are fighting to have him released, and prosecutors are pushing back. The judge asked both sides to submit letters outlining their arguments in court on July 2.
Diddy still faces nearly 80 civil lawsuits
There’s still a mountain of civil lawsuits waiting for Combs.
To date, approximately 80 lawsuits have been filed against Combs, many of which have been filed by Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who previously announced he would represent 120 individual accusers. Alleged victims represented by Buzbee now account for about half of the lawsuits filed so far.
The lawsuits include both named and anonymous accusers with a variety of sexual assault and physical violence claims dating as far back as 1991 to as recently as 2024. Some say they were children or teens during their alleged assaults, many claim they were drugged and others allege their abuse was recorded.
The music mogul has denied all of the allegations.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson and Anna Kaufman
