P Diddy trial verdict: How long rapper faces behind bars after verdict announced

Sean "Diddy" Combs expressed his gratitude to the jury with a praying hands gesture after the verdicts were announced. He has been acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking but was found guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution related to his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, as well as another former girlfriend, Jane*, and several escorts. The maximum sentence for these charges is 10 years in prison.

The jurors reached their verdicts on Tuesday, July 2, following a seven-week trial. They found Sean "Diddy" Combs not guilty of Count One: racketeering conspiracy; not guilty of Count Two: sex trafficking of Cassie Ventura; guilty of Count Three: transportation for prostitution involving Cassie and others; not guilty of Count Four: sex trafficking of Jane; and guilty of Count Five: transportation for prostitution involving Jane and others. *Jane is the pseudonym used for a woman who dated Diddy from early 2021 until his arrest in 2024.

During the trial in New York, a jury consisting of eight men and four women listened as the U.S. government accused the founder of Bad Boy Records of using his power, wealth, and influence as the leader of a "criminal enterprise" to sexually abuse and exploit women for his pleasure over two decades.

His defence pitched to jurors that the case against Combs was "badly exaggerated," as they claimed he was being put on trial for living a "swingers" lifestyle. Despite claims of violent behaviour amid supplies of drugs and baby oil, they emphasised it was ultimately all consensual despite being "unconventional".

The trial heard from almost three dozen government witnesses, ranging from former personal assistants to stylists and label artists, some of whom willingly testified against Combs. In contrast, others were granted immunity in exchange for their testimony.

His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has now asked the court to release the rapper from federal detention, where he has been since his arrest in September 2024, as he was not granted bail.

This is because he has been cleared of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. While every federal crime is serious, Agnifilo says, the transportation charges are "vastly" different to the others he was accused of.

This is also Combs's first conviction, Agniflo stated. The proposal is for Combs to live at his home in Florida. However, prosecutor Maurene Comey said they oppose this application and that the government will be seeking a 20-year maximum sentence for Diddy.

Cassie's lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor, reacted to the mixed verdict, praising the singer for having "the courage" to file her civil complaint that kick-started the prosecution process back in November 2023.

Wigdor said: "Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking, beyond a reasonable doubt, Cassie paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution.

"By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. We must repeat - with no reservation - that we believe and support our client, who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial."