Sean “Diddy” Combs receives a major victory in court as the jury reaches its final verdict in a sex trafficking trial that has dominated headlines for weeks. Combs was found not guilty on the most serious charges against him, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, and was convicted of lesser charges, including transporting people for prostitution, for which he could be released on bond. The rapper vehemently denied all of the charges against him throughout the eight-week federal trial.
Prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik and Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Ryan Comey, argued that Diddy was the head of a racketeering enterprise responsible for facilitating crimes over two decades, including kidnapping, arson, drug distribution, and sex trafficking. The prosecution built its case around numerous witness testimonies, including Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura and another ex-girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym Jane. The prosecution also highlighted the alleged use of violence and intimidation by Combs to maintain his criminal enterprise.
The defense, led by Sean Combs’s lead lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, countered that the government has misused a serious, complex federal law to charge Mr. Combs for what amounts to “personal-use drugs and threesomes,” and asks that his client be released to his home in Miami ahead of sentencing due to the reduced severity of charges he was convicted on. Lead prosecutor, Maurene Comey, urged the court to keep Diddy detained, arguing that the defense is underplaying the seriousness of the conviction.
Judge Arun Subramanian has asked both prosecutors and the defense to submit letters by 1 p.m., after which he will consider their positions and make a decision on Diddy’s ability to walk free. Later in the day, the judge denied Combs bail until sentencing, citing the infamous video in which Combs can be seen assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
Diddy faces up to 20 years in prison, but the charge he was found guilty of has no minimum, meaning that he could possibly face no jail time at all. Following the Jury’s verdict, Diddy and his family celebrated, as the jury’s decision is the next best thing to a full acquittal.
Cassie Ventura’s lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor spoke out following the release of Diddy’s verdict: “By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial.”
He continued that the case “brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.” He concluded that both he and Cassie are pleased that he has been found guilty and held responsible for a federal crime, “something that he’s never been held responsible for in his entire life.”
