Diddy faces 20 years in prison after being found guilty

Sean “Diddy” Combs was exonerated of the most serious allegations after an eight-week trial in New York, although he was convicted guilty of transporting people to engage in prostitution.

Prosecutors accused the 55-year-old rapper of arson, kidnapping, and blackmail in addition to allegedly torturing and coercing three victims, including his ex-girlfriend Jane, who went by a pseudonym, and his previous long-term partner, singer and model Cassie Ventura.

A 12-member jury in a federal courtroom in Manhattan returned the judgment, finding the 55-year-old hip-hop entrepreneur guilty of two counts of transporting two women to engage in prostitution.

Diddy was found not guilty on one count of racketeering conspiracy and two charges of sex trafficking by the jury.

His family watched as the verdict was read, with the I’ll Be Missing You rapper backed by his eight attorneys.

Diddy now faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence as a result of the mixed judgment.

According to prosecutor Maurene Comey, the government plans to sentence Combs to a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Judge Arun Subramanian spoke to the jury after the verdict was rendered, thanking them for their “tremendous sacrifice” and encouraging them all. You were here every day, rain or shine, you worked together, and you listened. Apart from the satisfaction that comes from fulfilling the call to public duty, you did this for no compensation. We should all feel hopeful about that.

Additionally, Judge Subramanian informed the jurors that media outlets would seek to interview them following the case, a choice he said was entirely their own.

Respecting the privacy of your deliberations is crucial for a reason, he continued. Nevertheless, it is up to you whether or not you choose to discuss the issue and your personal opinions with others.

Diddy paid male escorts to have sex with his partners at “freak off” sex parties, which were displayed to the jury during the trial.

Many former workers, including police officers, hotel employees, and escorts, testified throughout the case.

In their testimony, ex-partners Cassie and Jane also stated that they were abused during their relationships and forced into the drug-fueled freak shows.

Combs had entered a not guilty plea to all of the accusations against him and had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. He refrained from speaking up for himself.

Despite the hip-hop icon’s aggressive tendencies, drug usage, and unorthodox sexual lifestyle, his defense team informed the court that the sex activities were always voluntary and that he was innocent of the allegations.

In November 2023, Cassie filed a lawsuit against Diddy, a three-time Grammy winner, alleging that he had blackmailed her, physically assaulted her multiple times, and forced her into unwelcome sex sessions.

CNN acquired and broadcast hotel security footage of Combs striking, kicking, and flinging Cassie to the ground in 2016 after the lawsuit was resolved for $20 million in a day.

Throughout the trial, the hotel incident’s video was played.