Today's News: Sean “Diddy” Combs' Federal Sex Crimes Trial Reaches Verdicts

Following the verdict, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs' request for bail, citing his history of violence, and ordered him to remain in federal custody until sentencing.

Terrence Dorsey

Jul 02, 2025

Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

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Date: July 2, 2025
Topic: Sean “Diddy” Combs' Federal Trial Verdict and Post-Conviction Status
Summary: Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, the most serious charges he faced. However, he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Following the verdict, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs' request for bail, citing his history of violence, and ordered him to remain in federal custody until sentencing. While the transportation charges carry a maximum of 10 years each, legal experts anticipate a shorter prison term. The high-profile trial involved testimonies detailing alleged drug-fueled sex parties and violence, with the defense consistently arguing for consensual sexual encounters. The mixed verdict has elicited varied reactions from Combs' family, supporters, and women’s advocacy groups.

Sources

Key Points

Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges against him: racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
He was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs' request for bail, citing his documented history of violence and disregard for the law, ordering him to remain in federal custody until sentencing.
Each transportation conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, potentially totaling 20 years, though legal experts generally predict a shorter term.
The prosecution’s case heavily relied on testimonies from former girlfriends, notably Cassie Ventura and “Jane,” who described “freak-offs” or “hotel nights” involving drug-fueled sex with male escorts.
Combs' defense maintained that all sexual encounters were consensual, acknowledging his temper and domestic violence in relationships but arguing these were distinct from sex trafficking. The defense called no witnesses.
The trial garnered significant public and media attention, with crowds and social media influencers present outside the courthouse.
The alleged use of baby oil during “freak-offs” was a recurring detail in testimony and evidence.
Combs continues to face numerous civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse, independent of the criminal verdict.

Unique Highlights

The Wall Street Journal noted that prosecutors estimated Combs could face at least four to five years in prison under sentencing guidelines, though these are not mandatory. The article also detailed the decline of Combs' business empire, including Macy’s phasing out his Sean John brand and the end of his relationship with Diageo.
The New York Times provided historical context for the Mann Act, the law under which Combs was convicted, detailing its origins and past controversial applications against figures like Jack Johnson. It also highlighted reactions from women’s advocacy groups such as UltraViolet and RAINN, expressing disappointment in the verdict as a setback for accountability. The article also mentioned a juror being dismissed for inconsistent answers about residence and Combs being reprimanded by the judge for non-verbal cues to the jury.
CNN reported that Judge Subramanian specifically cited violence and illegal conduct by Combs after his homes were searched, indicating a “disregard for the rule of law.” A family associate was seen wearing a shirt stating “A Freako is not a R.I.C.O.” outside the courthouse, and baby oil was sprayed into the crowd as a form of celebration.
NBC News detailed the celebratory scene outside the courthouse where Combs' family and supporters used baby oil, with one woman dancing in a bikini. It also quoted YouTuber Armon Wiggins on how the trial coverage changed the “face of media.”
Fox News reported that the prosecution cited an alleged assault on “Jane” in June 2024, while Combs was under federal investigation, as a reason to deny bail. It also included reactions from Hollywood figures like Rosie O’Donnell, who expressed anger, and rapper 50 Cent, who celebrated the acquittal.
The Washington Post noted that Judge Subramanian used the defense’s own words against them when denying bail, stating it was “impossible” for Combs to prove he would not be a danger. It also mentioned Combs' use of self-help books in jail and detailed the diverse backgrounds and occupations of the jury members.

Contrasting Details

Interpretation of Verdict: While The New York Times, CNN, NBC News, and The Washington Post reported that women’s advocacy groups and Cassie Ventura’s lawyer expressed disappointment in the verdict, viewing it as a setback for accountability, Fox News quoted former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani calling the outcome a “total failure” and “very embarrassing loss” for the prosecution, arguing the case was overcharged and the jury did not believe the victims due to evidence of consent. Fox News also highlighted rapper 50 Cent’s celebratory reaction (“Diddy beat the Feds”).
Severity of Potential Sentence: The Wall Street Journal and Fox News (citing prosecution) estimated a sentence of 4-5 years under sentencing guidelines. However, The New York Times noted that judges in the Southern District of New York often impose shorter sentences than guidelines suggest. CNN legal analyst Elie Honig suggested the sentence could be in the “realm of time served” (Combs had been in custody for 10 months). The Washington Post stated the government argued for at least 51 months (over 4 years).
Jury’s View on Consent/Relationships: The prosecution (across multiple articles) argued that coercion, violence, and threats were used to force participation in sex acts. The defense (across all articles) maintained that all sex was consensual, acknowledging domestic violence but separating it from sex trafficking. CNN and NBC News quoted legal experts suggesting the jury may have “got hung up on” the question of consent or struggled to define the “enterprise” legally. Fox News quoted male escort Sharay Hayes, who testified, stating the verdict was “proper” and that Combs' actions aligned with domestic violence, not sex trafficking, due to “mutual love and care” and “numerous examples of sexual consent” he observed.

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