Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs acquitted on most serious charges


Summary

Mixed verdict

A jury acquitted hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy but convicted him of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Potential prison time

Combs faces as much as 10 years in a federal prison. If convicted of the more serious offenses, he could have received a life sentence.

Lawyers seeking release

Defense lawyers are asking a judge to set a $1 million bond for Combs’ release before sentencing.


Full story

A jury in New York acquitted Sean “Diddy” Combs on sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, following a sensational trial in which the hip-hop mogul disputes claims that he coerced women into unwanted sex with male prostitutes. The jury, however, convicted Combs on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Combs avoided a potential life sentence on the most serious charges. However, he still could be sentenced to as much as 10 years in prison.

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After an eight-week trial that featured often-lurid testimony, the jury concluded that Combs, 55, transported the singer Casandra Ventura, his former girlfriend, as well as a woman identified in court only as “Jane,” across state lines for the purpose of prostitution.

Prosecutors are arguing to keep Combs in custody. But his defense lawyers asked the judge to set bond at $1 million before sentencing.

This is a developing story. Return to Straight Arrow News for updates.

Ally Heath (Senior Digital Producer) contributed to this report.
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Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left emphasize the gravity of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ offenses by foregrounding allegations of sex trafficking, coercion and drug-fueled abuse, employing terms like "most clear-cut example of sex trafficking" to underscore systemic exploitation behind his celebrity façade.
  • Media outlets in the center adopt a neutral tone, concentrating on the mixed verdict and sentencing implications without delving into graphic allegations or procedural drama.
  • Media outlets on the right highlight procedural complexities and Combs’ denial, using legalistic language such as "fall from grace" and focusing on jury deliberations, the defense’s opposition to an Allen charge and the financial fallout, thereby framing the story within due process and reputational consequences.

Media landscape

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676 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but was acquitted on three serious charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering.
  • The jury's verdict followed an eight-week trial featuring 34 witnesses who testified against Combs, including Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura.
  • Testimonies detailed allegations of violence and coercion, including a 2016 incident where Combs allegedly assaulted Ventura and used drugs as leverage against another witness named Jane.
  • Combs was accused of multiple instances of violence, including physical assaults on Ventura and intimidating witnesses.

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Key points from the Center

  • On Wednesday, Sean 'Diddy' Combs was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, while acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges, with verdict announced that day.
  • Federal prosecutors alleged Combs coerced women into drug-fueled “Freak Offs” under the Mann Act and RICO charges, spanning two decades of alleged abuse.
  • Prosecutors presented evidence from an eight-week trial with 34 witnesses, including a 2016 hotel video showing Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura.
  • Despite the conviction, Combs faces up to ten years in prison, likely ending his career as a music and fashion mogul.
  • Following the jury's partial verdict, the court must record the formal decision before sentencing, with Combs jailed since September 16, 2024.

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Key points from the Right

  • Sean 'Diddy' Combs was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering but guilty on lesser charges, with jurors reaching a verdict on four out of five counts.
  • The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge, which is the most complicated charge against him.
  • Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik claimed that the defendant used power, violence, and fear to get what he wanted.

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Other (sources without bias rating):

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Timeline

  • President Trump says he may consider pardoning Sean “Diddy” Combs, but rapper 50 Cent is using resurfaced clips to discourage it.
    Johnny Nunez/WireImage
    Lifestyle
    Jun 2

    Trump will consider a Diddy pardon but 50 Cent is trying to stop it

    President Donald Trump said Friday, May 30, he would “look at the facts” before deciding whether to pardon Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently facing multiple lawsuits and a sex trafficking and racketeering trial. But rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson says he’s doing everything he can to stop that from happening. Trump made the comments…

  • Cassie Ventura told jurors she received $20 million one day after filing her lawsuit. She also detailed a decade of alleged coercion, rape and blackmail.
    Reuters
    Lifestyle
    May 14

    Cassie Ventura testifies to $20M settlement, abuse in Diddy trial

    Content warning: The following story contains graphic depictions of sexual and domestic abuse. On day three of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial, singer Cassie Ventura revealed she received a $20 million settlement. That was just 24 hours after filing a lawsuit against him in 2023. She also testified about years of alleged abuse,…

  • Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team faces changes as attorney Anthony Ricco withdraws weeks before the sex trafficking trial.
    Reuters
    Lifestyle
    Feb 21

    Diddy’s defense attorney abruptly requests withdrawal from case

    Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team is down one member. Defense attorney Anthony Ricco has abruptly requested to withdraw from the case. This comes just weeks before Combs’ highly anticipated May trial. The music mogul faces sex trafficking and other serious charges stemming from multiple allegations. The trial is expected to draw significant media attention. According…

  • Sean "Diddy" Combs will stand trial on federal sex trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy charges starting May 5.
    Reuters
    U.S.
    Oct 11

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to stand trial on federal charges in May

    American rapper and record executive Sean “Diddy” Combs will stand trial on federal sex trafficking, racketeering and conspiracy charges in May, a judge ruled Thursday, Oct. 10, during Diddy’s appearance for a hearing in a Manhattan courtroom. According to the indictment, Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual…

  • A New York jury acquitted Sean “Diddy” Combs on sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, but convicted him on two lesser charges.
    Reuters
    U.S.
    Sep 20

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs placed on suicide watch in Brooklyn after arrest

    Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been placed on suicide watch at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The jail officials’ move followed Combs’ arrest on sex trafficking and racketeering charges on Monday, Sept. 16. Although Combs has not shown any suicidal tendencies, jail officials are conducting hourly checks. These heightened security measures come in…

  • Sean “Diddy” Combs has been indicted on serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and kidnapping.
    AP Images
    U.S.
    Sep 17

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs indicted on sex trafficking, kidnapping charges

    Sean “Diddy” Combs has been indicted on serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and kidnapping. The indictment was unsealed Tuesday, Sept. 17, the morning after Combs’ arrest at a Manhattan hotel. The indictment alleges that from 2008 to the present, members of the Combs enterprise were involved in a range of criminal activities, including sex…

Timeline

  • President Trump says he may consider pardoning Sean “Diddy” Combs, but rapper 50 Cent is using resurfaced clips to discourage it.
    Johnny Nunez/WireImage
    Lifestyle
    Jun 2

    Trump will consider a Diddy pardon but 50 Cent is trying to stop it

    President Donald Trump said Friday, May 30, he would “look at the facts” before deciding whether to pardon Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently facing multiple lawsuits and a sex trafficking and racketeering trial. But rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson says he’s doing everything he can to stop that from happening. Trump made the comments…

  • Cassie Ventura told jurors she received $20 million one day after filing her lawsuit. She also detailed a decade of alleged coercion, rape and blackmail.
    Reuters
    Lifestyle
    May 14

    Cassie Ventura testifies to $20M settlement, abuse in Diddy trial

    Content warning: The following story contains graphic depictions of sexual and domestic abuse. On day three of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial, singer Cassie Ventura revealed she received a $20 million settlement. That was just 24 hours after filing a lawsuit against him in 2023. She also testified about years of alleged abuse,…

  • Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team faces changes as attorney Anthony Ricco withdraws weeks before the sex trafficking trial.
    Reuters
    Lifestyle
    Feb 21

    Diddy’s defense attorney abruptly requests withdrawal from case

    Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team is down one member. Defense attorney Anthony Ricco has abruptly requested to withdraw from the case. This comes just weeks before Combs’ highly anticipated May trial. The music mogul faces sex trafficking and other serious charges stemming from multiple allegations. The trial is expected to draw significant media attention. According…

  • Sean "Diddy" Combs will stand trial on federal sex trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy charges starting May 5.
    Reuters
    U.S.
    Oct 11

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to stand trial on federal charges in May

    American rapper and record executive Sean “Diddy” Combs will stand trial on federal sex trafficking, racketeering and conspiracy charges in May, a judge ruled Thursday, Oct. 10, during Diddy’s appearance for a hearing in a Manhattan courtroom. According to the indictment, Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual…

  • A New York jury acquitted Sean “Diddy” Combs on sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, but convicted him on two lesser charges.
    Reuters
    U.S.
    Sep 20

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs placed on suicide watch in Brooklyn after arrest

    Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been placed on suicide watch at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The jail officials’ move followed Combs’ arrest on sex trafficking and racketeering charges on Monday, Sept. 16. Although Combs has not shown any suicidal tendencies, jail officials are conducting hourly checks. These heightened security measures come in…

  • Sean “Diddy” Combs has been indicted on serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and kidnapping.
    AP Images
    U.S.
    Sep 17

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs indicted on sex trafficking, kidnapping charges

    Sean “Diddy” Combs has been indicted on serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and kidnapping. The indictment was unsealed Tuesday, Sept. 17, the morning after Combs’ arrest at a Manhattan hotel. The indictment alleges that from 2008 to the present, members of the Combs enterprise were involved in a range of criminal activities, including sex…