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Diddy is acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering
The Independent
|July 03, 2025
But rap mogul is convicted over two prostitution offences
Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty yesterday on two counts tied to prostitution, but the rap mogul was acquitted on the most serious charges in his sex trafficking trial at a federal court in New York City. He was denied bail last night as he awaits sentencing.
The convictions cap his public downfall after a trial in which his penchant for kinky sex “freak-offs” was aired almost daily, but also serve as a win for the music icon, who escaped other charges that could have led to life imprisonment.
Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and not guilty of a racketeering charge and two sex trafficking counts.
The guilty verdict comes nearly 10 months after federal prosecutors arrested the 55-year-old music tycoon, accusing him of running a criminal enterprise and of abusing, threatening and coercing victims to “fulfill his sexual desires” from 2004 to 2024.
The counts he was found guilty of carry a punishment of up to 10 years in prison.
As the verdict came in, Combs sat and shook his fists victoriously. When each juror was asked if this was a “true and correct verdict,” Combs looked at each and nodded at them.“Mr Combs has been given his life by this jury,” his lawyer told the court when he pleaded for his client to be released from custody and allowed to return to his home in Miami ahead of sentencing. The lawyer promised his client would not “run afoul” of the authorities.
This story is from the July 03, 2025 edition of The Independent.
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