A US jury has delivered a verdict in the trial of musician Sean “Diddy” Combs, convicting him of two prostitution-related offenses while clearing him of more serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. Combs, a renowned figure in hip-hop, was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The verdict comes after a seven-week trial that featured testimony from two of Combs’s former girlfriends, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and another woman referred to as “Jane”. Both women alleged that Combs physically and sexually abused them. According to prosecutors, Combs used his business empire to coerce his romantic partners into participating in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances with male sex workers in hotel rooms, often referred to as “freak-offs”.
During the trial, jurors were shown surveillance footage from 2016 depicting Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway. Ventura claimed she was attempting to leave a “freak-off” when the incident occurred. Jane testified that Combs attacked her and forced her to perform oral sex on a male entertainer in June 2024, despite her objections.
Combs’s defense team conceded that he was violent in his domestic relationships but argued that the sexual activities described by prosecutors were consensual. They portrayed Ventura and Jane as strong, independent women who willingly participated in the performances to please Combs.
In his closing argument, defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo stated, “If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn’t all be here… He did not do the things he’s charged with.” Prosecutor Christy Slavik countered, “The defendant used power, violence, and fear to get what he wanted… He doesn’t take no for an answer.”
The conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail for each count. However, the acquittals on sex trafficking counts mean Combs will avoid a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs’s bail request, citing his acknowledged violence towards his former girlfriends.
Ventura’s lawyer, Doug Wigdor, praised his client’s courage, saying, “By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.” The US Attorney’s Office emphasized the lasting impact of sexual violence, stating, “Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society”.