Update: Sean “Diddy” Combs Convicted on Two Counts in Federal Trial, Acquitted on Racketeering and Sex Trafficking Charges

Sean “Diddy” Combs

A federal jury on Wednesday found Sean “Diddy” Combs guilty of two of five criminal charges filed against him in a high-profile trial that scrutinized the hip-hop mogul’s conduct over several decades. The 12-member panel acquitted Combs of racketeering and sex trafficking, but convicted him on prostitution-related offenses.

Following the reading of the verdict, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian adjourned court proceedings to determine whether Combs will be granted bail prior to sentencing. The 55-year-old music executive and entrepreneur, who faced a potential life sentence had he been convicted on the more severe racketeering and sex trafficking counts, now faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison.

Deliberations began earlier this week and lasted over 12 hours across three days. On Tuesday afternoon, jurors announced they had reached a consensus on counts two, three, four, and five—charges that included sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation with intent to engage in prostitution—but remained divided on the first count: racketeering conspiracy.

By Wednesday morning, the jury signaled it had reached final verdicts on all five counts. The court confirmed the mixed decision shortly thereafter.

Combs’s legal team had argued that while the defendant may have engaged in drug use and consensual adult activities, he was not the leader of a criminal enterprise, as prosecutors alleged. Prosecutors painted a much darker picture, describing a man who used power, fear, and influence to coerce women into sexual acts and manipulate those within his business empire.

The verdict brings to a close a closely watched trial that has captivated the public and the entertainment industry. Sentencing proceedings are expected to follow in the coming weeks, as Judge Subramanian considers the appropriate penalty for the convicted offenses.