Sean Diddy Combs PHOTO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK.COM/DIDDY

By David L. Snelling

Miami – Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but was cleared of the most serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Combs will remain in custody pending sentencing after Judge Arun Subramanian denied his attorneys’ request for a $1 million bond.

Federal prosecutors alleged Combs ran a sprawling criminal enterprise engaging in a series of racketeering and sex trafficking, using violence and fear to control his victims.

During deliberations, the jury reached a verdict on four of the five counts but was deadlocked on the sex trafficking charge.

They were instructed to resume deliberations and acquitted Combs on three counts of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, which was a blow to federal prosecutors.

Despite being found guilty on the prostitution charges, Combs’ team of lawyers said it was a massive victory as the most serious charges would have landed him in prison for 30 years to life.

Each count on the prostitution conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars, and prosecutors said they are seeking the highest prison term for Combs.

According to CBS News, during the verdict announcement, Combs turned around, kneeled on the ground, put his hands on his chair and prayed while his family and friends erupted into cheers.

Combs was arrested and indicted in New York in 2024 on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution.

In March 2025, federal prosecutors added additional charges including forced labor under the racketeering conspiracy count, and a month later tacked on other counts of sex trafficking and one of transportation to engage in prostitution.

During the trial, prosecutors dropped attempted kidnapping and attempted arson charges as underlying crimes in the racketeering conspiracy charge against Combs.

That left the jury to decide on five counts of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of prostitution.

Prosecutors accused Combs of using his business empire and hiring people to conduct a criminal enterprise to illegally coerce women into sex and concealed his alleged illicit conduct to protect his reputation.

Last year, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security raided two homes owned by Combs in Los Angeles and Miami Beach and collected evidence to build a case against him.

One of the prosecutor’s star witnesses was Casandra Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend who testified that he orchestrated and engaged in forced marathon sexual encounters with women and men which was called “Freak-Offs.”

However, Combs’ defense lawyers said the sexual encounters were consensual.

Other witnesses who testified for the prosecution said drugs and male prostitution were part of the wild parties that Combs threw at his mansions.

Ventura also testified that Combs intimidated and physically assaulted people who refused to take part in the “FreakOffs.”

Prosecutors showed Combs was prone to violence, pointing to a surveillance hotel video from 2016 that surfaced last year.

The video shows Combs allegedly beating and dragging Ventura in the hotel corridor.

Combs released a social media post and video apologizing for his action.

Since his arrest, Combs has since been held in a detention center in Brooklyn, New York and denied bail on several occasions.

Combs was the founder of Bad Boy Records which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G., Usher, Mary J. Blige and Mase.