Sean “Diddy” Combs Found Guilty on Two Counts in Federal Trial

Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found guilty on two of five federal charges after a high-profile trial that has gripped the entertainment world for weeks. The verdict was delivered Wednesday afternoon in a Manhattan federal court, bringing a partial close to one of the most closely watched celebrity cases in recent memory.

Combs, 55, was convicted on two counts of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, one involving singer and former partner Cassie Ventura, and the other involving an anonymous accuser referred to as “Jane.” The charges stemmed from a broader federal investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, and racketeering linked to events spanning over a decade.

The jury, composed of eight men and four women, reached its decision after more than 13 hours of deliberation over the course of three days. While Combs was found guilty on the prostitution-related charges, he was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. The split verdict stunned the courtroom and prompted mixed reactions from observers and legal experts alike.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors laid out detailed and often disturbing testimony from multiple women who accused Combs of luring them into drug-fueled encounters, which were at times secretly recorded. Both Ventura and Jane gave emotional accounts of manipulation, physical abuse, and sexual coercion. In one of the most pivotal moments of the trial, a former Combs employee also testified, describing years of abuse behind closed doors.

The defense, meanwhile, argued that the relationships in question were consensual and that the prosecution had relied heavily on discredited witnesses and speculative evidence. Combs’ legal team attempted to frame the charges as part of a targeted campaign against a public figure with a controversial past.

Despite being cleared of the more severe charges, the convictions carry serious legal consequences. Combs now faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing expected later this year. He has been remanded into federal custody without bail, and sources close to his legal team suggest an appeal is already being prepared.

The case marks a dramatic fall from grace for one of hip-hop’s most influential figures. Combs, a Grammy-winning producer and entrepreneur with a multi-decade career, had until recently maintained a firm denial of all allegations, describing them as “fabricated and politically motivated.” Wednesday’s verdict, however, shifts the legal and cultural conversation around the long-simmering accusations.

Outside the courthouse, reactions ranged from celebratory to somber. Supporters of Combs expressed frustration with the outcome, while advocates for the alleged victims said the partial conviction was a long-overdue recognition of their trauma.

Although the criminal trial has concluded, Combs still faces multiple civil lawsuits from former employees and alleged victims, many of which echo the charges brought in this case. Legal analysts say those cases could gain renewed traction in the wake of the guilty verdicts.

As Combs awaits sentencing, the future of his empire—and his legacy—hangs in the balance. What was once a story of success, wealth, and cultural dominance is now one of accountability, reckoning, and unanswered questions.