The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking and racketeering trial reached a verdict on all counts Wednesday.
The jury found Diddy not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He was found guilty on both counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
A federal RICO violation can result in a 20-year sentence. The transportation to engage in prostitution charge could carry a sentence of up to 10 years, while sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion may carry a 20-year sentence.
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Diddy returned to the courtroom wearing another beige sweater while the jury continued deliberating. He hugged his lawyers and waved to his mother and a supporter who was whispering, “Hi Diddy” to him. The rapper also made the heart symbol with his hand.
Combs then spoke to the court marshals briefly before standing and facing his family. He said a brief prayer, asking God to watch over his family and bless the jurors. The family all bowed their heads and said “amen” when Diddy finished. The family then clapped.
On Tuesday, after nearly 14 hours of deliberation, the jury revealed they had reached a verdict on four of the five counts Diddy faces.
The jury indicated they couldn’t reach a unanimous decision on the racketeering charge, one of the most serious counts against the disgraced music mogul.
After receiving the fourth note of substance from the jury, the court directed them to continue deliberating on the racketeering conspiracy. The jury was brought out and a portion of the instructions were re-read by Judge Arun Subramanian.
When the jury was brought back into the courtroom, the judge asked them to keep deliberating, saying it is their duty to discuss among themselves and form opinions. Judge Subramanian said the jurors must reach a unanimous verdict, but must not give up their convictions merely to return a verdict or satisfy the rest of the jurors. The jury was then dismissed back to the jury room.
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Jurors began deliberating on Monday, June 30, after hearing seven weeks of trial testimony. The prosecution chose to rest the case on June 24. Special Agent Joseph Cerciello was the final witness to take the stand for the prosecution, making him the 34th person to testify. Diddy’s defense called no witnesses.
Diddy pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The disgraced music mogul was arrested in September 2024, months after Homeland Security Investigations raided the Los Angeles and Miami homes of the rapper.
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During closing arguments, Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, insisted the rapper was innocent. He noted that it takes courage for a juror to acquit. “Return him to his family who have been waiting for him.”
He also accused the prosecution of bringing a “fake trial” against Diddy, claiming the government went after his “private sex life.”
According to his lawyer, none of the prosecution witnesses testified to engaging in racketeering. Agnifilo pointed out the disgraced music mogul’s former employees all described working for him as hard, but also said it was like “going to Harvard Business School.”
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Before the defense’s closing arguments, the government explained how the trial testimony proved each charge against Diddy – two counts of sex trafficking, racketeering and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution – over the course of roughly four hours.
The government emphasized in their argument that Diddy ran an alleged criminal enterprise with full control. The prosecution pointed out that the jury heard testimony, saw texts, viewed bank records and heard audio allegedly showing the “Last Night” rapper committing crime after crime for decades.
Prosecutors argued the disgraced music mogul used his inner circle, money and influence to cover up the alleged crimes he committed.
“Over the last several weeks, you’ve learned a lot about Sean Combs,” Slavik said at the start of closing statements. “He’s a leader of a criminal enterprise. He doesn’t take no for an answer.”
