On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Sean “Diddy” Combs was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him in prison for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offenses, in a blow to prosecutors who said the music mogul used “violence and fear” to abuse women.
The verdict is overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture.
Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking of two of his former romantic partners, the rhythm and blues singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane. However, the 12-member jury unanimously found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
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Following the judge’s dismissal of the jury and both sides, Diddy knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. He then rose and faced the courtroom gallery.
He said, “I’m gonna be home soon,” smiling and clasping his hands. “I love you. Thank you, I love you.”
Combs’ family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers.
Combs, 55, faces a possible 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution allegations. He had entered a not guilty plea to all five counts. His defense lawyer has asked that he be released on bail and both sides are due to submit a briefing on the request by 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT).
Prosecutors claimed during the trial that Combs used his business empire to coerce Ventura and Jane into participating in drug-fueled, multi-day sexual performances—sometimes referred to as “Freak Offs”—with male sex workers in hotel rooms for twenty years while Combs watched, masturbated, and occasionally recorded.
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Some of the 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant that were discovered during searches of his homes and that prosecutors claimed he would use in the performances were shown to jurors during the seven-week trial in Manhattan federal court.
Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs’ conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them.
According to prosecutor Christy Slavik in her closing argument on June 26, “The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted.” “He doesn’t take no for an answer.”
