NEW YORK, NEW YORK—After more than two months in a courtroom, and deliberating for over 12 hours, a jury of 12 (eight men and four women) found Sean Combs aka Diddy not guilty on Wednesday, July 2 on charges pertaining to racketeering and sex trafficking of victims, Cassie Ventura and Jane.

He was found guilty on counts three and five, which pertained to transportation for the purpose of prostitution, and could face up to 10 years for each count.

Diddy knelt down in court and prayed after the verdict was read. Judge Arun Subramanian thanked the jury after the verdict was read before they were ushered out of the courtroom and transported away.

“I want you to know that it is inspiring to all of us. You listened, you worked together, you were here every day, rain or shine. You did so with no reward, other than the reward that comes from answering the call of public service. That should give us all hope,” said Judge Subramanian to the jury.

Diddy’s attorney Marc Agniflio asked the court to release his client based on him being found not guilty on the racketeering and sex trafficking. The prosecutor in the case, Maurene Comey, objected to Diddy being released indicating the defendant didn’t respect the law and may commit new crimes if he was released.

Judge Subramanian noted that Combs release would be determined by 5 p.m. EST, after he reads letters submitted by prosecutors and Diddy’s defense team.

The jury listened to over seven weeks of testimony, and a total of 34 witnesses in the case to determine the verdict. Cassie took the stand at the beginning of the trial in May where she testified for several days while pregnant. The prosecutors in the case argued that Sean Combs and his associates lured women and coerced them into sex acts, at times with commercial sex workers where they engaged in days-long “freak-offs”.

Video from some of the “freak-offs” were played for the jury during the trail but not shown to the court. The rapper was accused of kidnapping his assistant, Capicorn Clark, that testified she was taken from her home during pre-dawn hours to rapper Kid Cudi’s home where he was accused of bombing his vehicle with a Molotov cocktail. The defense team did not call any witnesses during the trail, and Diddy did not take the stand during the trail.

On September 16, 2024, the feds arrested Diddy, 55, inside the lobby of the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan. TMZ first reported the news of the musician’s arrest indicating that Diddy was taken to a federal building in Manhattan after a grand jury indictment.

He was seen strolling around New York City with his son King Combs before his arrest. . Charges announced by authorities indicated that Diddy was being charged with three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution, racketeering conspiracy and kidnapping.

The indictment noted that Combs “engaged in persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals”. The indictment also details allegations dating back to 2008 where the mogul is accused of hosting “freak-offs” to “fulfill his sexual desires”. Diddy is described in the indictment as the head of a criminal enterprise and utilized his “power and prestige” to threaten and intimidate victims.

The indictment notes that law enforcement seized narcotics and over a thousand bottles of baby oil and lubricant when his properties in Beverly Hills and Miami were raided in March 2024. Agents also seized firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers. Law enforcement had guns drawn as they entered the property in BH and detained individuals inside the property.

Diddy’s two sons, Justin and King Combs were at the Beverly Hills’ property at the time of the raid, and were detained by authorities, but not arrested. Traffic was cut off to neighbors in the Holmby Hills region as agents completed the raid. Some neighbors were not able to access their home including “Alien” director Ridley Scott.

In addition to Diddy’s BH home being raided, his home in Miami was also raided by authorities at the same time, as footage was seen on social media of a boat docking near the property on Star Island which is a secluded region in Miami where the rich and famous reside.

Combs denied all allegations alleged against him. Since the lawsuit brought by Cassie, the musician has faced several lawsuits in recent months from others. In February 2024, music producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones filed a lawsuit against Combs alleging he was forced into sex acts and asked to find sex workers for Diddy. Jones alleged that Diddy drugged him and assaulted him.

Combs is a well-known name in the music industry having found success with rapper Biggie Smalls in the early 90s. He parlayed that success into working with musicians Mary J. Blige, 112, Danity Kane, Mase and many more. He was recently honored at the 2023 Bet Awards where he earned the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Under the Mann Act, it is a felony to engage in interstate or foreign commerce transport of any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose. The goal of the Mann Act is to address prostitution, immortality and human trafficking, where trafficking was for the purposes of prostitution.

The prosecution argued because Diddy was found guilty under the Mann Act, he should be denied bail. Diddy’s defense team asked for him to be released on $1 million dollar bail, while he awaits sentencing and appeal.

The judge ruled Wednesday that Combs will remain in custody pending sentencing in his criminal case. Diddy and his team were hoping the music mogul would be released after not guilty verdicts were announced on three of the more serious charges he was facing.

Combs is slated to be sentenced on October 20, 2025. The mogul could have faced up to life in prison if convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges.