Sean Combs Convicted on Two Prostitution-Transport Counts, Cleared of Racketeering and Sex Trafficking

A federal jury in Manhattan has convicted Sean Combs, the hip-hop mogul also known as Diddy or Puff Daddy, on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, while acquitting him of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. The verdict was reported on July 2, 2025. This report includes mentions of physical and sexual violence.

Jurors deliberated for 13 hours before delivering the split decision. The trial had begun on May 5.

Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York built their case around two main witnesses: Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and another former girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym "Jane." They were unable to persuade the jury that the women had not taken part willingly in the sex-and-drug marathons Combs variously called "freak offs," "hotel nights" or "wild king nights."

Combs did not testify, and his lawyers called no witnesses. They instead pointed to hundreds of text messages and social media posts in which Ventura and Jane often voiced enthusiasm for the sessions. On the stand, both women said they had felt pressured and manipulated into organizing and taking part. The defense argued that the relationships were toxic and possibly abusive but did not meet the government's standard for federal criminality.

The 12-person jury also rejected the prosecution's claim that Combs ran a criminal conspiracy or organized crime enterprise. Prosecutors had alleged several related offenses under the racketeering charge, including forced labor, bribery and obstruction of justice. Federal prosecutors have in recent years applied racketeering, or RICO, charges broadly, including in some high-profile cases against well-known hip-hop artists and in the trial of R&B singer R. Kelly, who was found guilty of RICO and sex trafficking in 2021. In this case, the government was unsuccessful.

A racketeering conviction would have carried the heaviest potential penalty, up to life in prison. The two sex trafficking counts, which alleged force, fraud or coercion, one involving Ventura and one involving Jane, would each have carried a statutory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life.

The two counts on which Combs was convicted, one concerning Ventura and male sex workers and the other concerning Jane and male sex workers, each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits from former employees and associates. Ventura sued him in November 2023 and settled within a day for $20 million; Combs did not acknowledge wrongdoing as part of that agreement.

At the height of his career, Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, helped bring hip-hop to a mainstream pop audience and became the public face of Bad Boy Records, a label he co-owned. He built a business empire that included the Sean John fashion company, a lucrative promotional partnership with alcohol giant Diageo, and a media operation that featured the once-popular VH1 reality show "Making The Band," in which he appeared as a highly demanding boss who often demeaned aspiring employees.