Verdict Reached in Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial

Sean Combs Found Partially Guilty in Federal Trial: Cleared of Racketeering and Sex Trafficking Charges

After three days of deliberations, the jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs’ federal trial reached a verdict, finding the music mogul guilty on two of five counts, both related to violations of the Mann Act, which prohibits the transportation of individuals across state lines for illicit purposes.

The Final Verdict:

Count 1 – Racketeering Conspiracy: Not Guilty

The jury was initially deadlocked on this charge, with some jurors reportedly holding “unpersuadable views,” but ultimately found Combs not guilty. He was visibly emotional after the ruling, putting a hand to his head in relief, fist-pumping, and then holding his hands in prayer toward the sky.

Count 2 – Sex Trafficking of Casandra "Cassie" Ventura: Not Guilty

Combs was cleared of this serious allegation involving his former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura.

Count 3 – Mann Act Transportation of Casandra Ventura: Guilty

The jury found Combs guilty of transporting Ventura across state lines with the intent of engaging in illegal sexual activity.

Count 4 – Sex Trafficking of "Jane": Not Guilty

The jury did not find sufficient evidence to convict Combs of sex trafficking another woman, identified only as “Jane.”

Count 5 – Mann Act Transportation of "Jane": Guilty

Combs was convicted on this final count, involving the transportation of "Jane" for unlawful purposes.

Defense Response and Public Reaction

The defense secured three acquittals, arguing that while Combs may have transported the women, it did not amount to sex trafficking or participation in organized criminal activity. The guilty verdicts under the Mann Act mark serious federal offenses, but the dismissal of the racketeering and sex trafficking charges significantly softens the legal blow.

As the news broke, social media was flooded with commentary. Some criticized the partial acquittal, while others expressed relief at the court’s decision to not convict on the more serious charges.

Experts Say the Charges Were Overblown

After the verdict, numerous legal experts described the prosecution as overreaching:

Business Insider noted several former federal prosecutors lambasted the racketeering and trafficking charges, saying they lacked solid evidence of an organized criminal enterprise.

New York Post reported legal analysts called it “one of the most expensive prostitution trials in U.S. history,” arguing that the SDNY relied on sensationalism rather than hard legal footing (nypost.com)

Vox Media’s Elie Honig (a former federal and state prosecutor) wrote that the racketeering charge was “a grievous overcharge,” noting prosecutors typically reserve RICO statutes for mob leaders and drug kingpins.

A New York Magazine / Intelligencer piece echoed that “the prosecution’s lead charge, racketeering, turned out to be a grievous overcharge.

What’s Next?

Combs now awaits sentencing on the two Mann Act convictions, both of which carry the possibility of prison time of up to 10 years and significant fines. Civil lawsuits related to similar allegations are also still pending.

The defense requested Combs’ immediate release, noting that his team had already arranged a private plane to take him to Florida. Prosecutors opposed the request, arguing that the severity of the convictions warranted continued detention. However, most legal experts believe that even with the guilty verdicts, Combs is unlikely to face much additional prison time, if any at all.  The parties are due back in court 2 July 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET for sentencing. 

Bibliography

Business Insider:
Ray, Michael. “Diddy Verdict Shows Feds Overreached When They Called Him a Mob Boss, Ex-Prosecutors Say.” Business Insider, July 2, 2025. https://www.businessinsider.com/diddy-verdict-feds-overreached-racketeering-charge-mob-boss-2025-7.

Los Angeles Times:
Queally, James, and Richard Winton. “Why Prosecutors Failed to Convict Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs on Biggest Charges.” Los Angeles Times, July 2, 2025. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-07-02/why-prosecutors-failed-convict-sean-diddy-combs-biggest-charges.

New York Magazine / Intelligencer:
Honig, Elie. “How the Prosecution Blew Its Case Against Diddy.” New York Magazine, July 2, 2025. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/diddy-trial-verdict-how-prosecution-blew-case.html.

The Hollywood Reporter:
Gardner, Eriq. “Diddy Verdict Analysis: Why the Jury Cleared Him on Sex Trafficking, RICO Charges.” The Hollywood Reporter, July 2, 2025. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sean-diddy-combs-verdict-analysis-rico-sex-trafficking-1236305166/.