By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Senior National
Correspondent
Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted Wednesday of transporting two women across state lines for sex but acquitted of running a criminal enterprise and two counts of sex trafficking.
The split verdict capped a weeks-long federal trial that exposed the hip-hop mogul’s private life to public scrutiny and left him facing prison time for felony convictions.
Jurors in U.S. District Court in Manhattan returned the following decisions after several days of deliberation:
• Count 1: Not guilty of racketeering conspiracy.
• Count 2: Not guilty of sex trafficking of former girlfriend Casandra Ventura.
• Count 3: Guilty of Mann Act transportation of Ventura.
• Count 4: Not guilty of sex trafficking of another former girlfriend, identified as “Jane.”
• Count 5: Guilty of Mann Act transportation of “Jane.”
Combs, who had spent decades cultivating a brand defined by luxury and influence, sat impassively as the foreperson read the verdicts in a quiet courtroom.
His mother, several of his children, and other family members were present to hear the outcome. The defense secured three acquittals, including the most serious charge of racketeering conspiracy, which carried the possibility of life in prison. Jurors also declined to convict Combs of sex trafficking either woman.
Prosecutors alleged that Combs used his businesses and employees to arrange hotels, flights, and drugs for what witnesses described as “freak-off” encounters. They argued that his staff helped maintain control over the women through manipulation and intimidation. Defense attorneys countered that while Combs’ personal relationships were unconventional, they were consensual, and that the government had overreached by attempting to portray them as part of an organized criminal enterprise.
The two guilty verdicts on Mann Act violations are serious felony convictions, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Combs’ attorneys have now asked for bail because he’s no longer charged with racketeering.
As Combs stood to leave, he turned to his family, blew a kiss, and said quietly, “I love you all.”
One of his lawyers told reporters outside court, “Mr. Combs appreciates that the jury looked closely at the evidence. While we are disappointed in the convictions, we are grateful for the acquittals and will continue to fight at sentencing.”
