Once known as a major name in the rap industry, the 55-year-old spent nearly two months on trial. Since September 2024, he had been held in federal custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center as these charges played out.
Combs maintained his innocence throughout and denied all accusations brought against him.
The jury has now reached its decision. Combs has been found guilty on two charges of transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. However, he was found not guilty of two charges related to sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and he was also acquitted on the charge of racketeering conspiracy.
What was Diddy accused of?
The case against Sean Combs included five major charges. These were made up of one count of racketeering conspiracy, along with two separate counts each of sex trafficking and transporting individuals for prostitution.
Altogether, the five charges Combs faced were broken down as follows:
- Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy
- Count 2: Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – refers to Victim 1 (Cassie)
- Count 3: Transportation to engage in prostitution – involves Victim 1 (Cassie) and sex workers
- Count 4: Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – relates to Victim 2 (“Jane”)
- Count 5: Transportation to engage in prostitution – relates to Victim 2 (“Jane”) and sex workers
When was Diddy arrested?
Sean Combs was taken into custody on September 16, 2024, at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan, following a formal indictment by a grand jury.
According to his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, Combs fully cooperated with law enforcement. Agnifilo said his client had even moved to New York ahead of time because he expected legal action to come.
Agnifilo stated at the time: “These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
The testimonies
One of the most prominent voices in the case was Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend.
She testified in detail about what she described as ‘freak off’ parties hosted by the music mogul.
These gatherings allegedly involved drug-fueled orgies, during which Combs would reportedly sit in the corner and masturbate while she was made to have sex with male prostitutes.
Another key witness, a male escort known as ‘The Punisher’—real name Sharay Hayes—also took the stand. He gave explicit details about the alleged encounters he had with both Cassie and Combs during these parties.
In addition, during police raids on Combs’s homes in both Miami and Los Angeles, investigators reportedly discovered a huge supply of sexual products—hundreds of bottles of baby oil and lube, including 900 bottles of Astroglide.
Alongside the drugs, authorities discovered a collection of weapons that included AR-15 style rifles, handguns, and pump-action shotguns.
These firearms were allegedly used to intimidate and control his victims.
What did the defense close out with?
During the final argument, Marc Agnifilo, Combs’s lead attorney, claimed that the charges were being blown out of proportion.
He described them as “badly exaggerated” and argued that the prosecution had overstated the facts.
“I don’t know what Jane is doing today, but she’s doing it in a house he’s paying for,” said Agnifilo, suggesting that Combs had helped cover her rent and legal bills.
“This isn’t about crime. It’s about money. This is about money,” he added. He then urged the jury to stay objective, telling them to “call this as you see it” and to “acquit Sean Combs of all the counts.”
On the other hand, Combs’s legal team spent over five hours delivering their closing statements on June 27.
