Sean “Diddy” Combs Convicted on Two Federal Charges
The music executive was denied bail and now awaits sentencing following a partial guilty verdict in a high-profile trial.
Content Warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual violence, physical abuse, drug use, coercion, and emotional trauma. Reader discretion is advised.
In a high-profile verdict, hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, while being acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges related to former girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman who testified under the pseudonym “Jane.”
“It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate … that he poses no danger to the community,” said Judge Arun Subramanian, who presided over the trial.
Combs has been denied bail and will remain in jail until his sentencing in October.
The Charges and Trial
Sean Combs was indicted on charges of racketeering, alleging that he created “a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”
“The defendant abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” read the indictment, obtained by The Introspective.
The indictment included allegations of abuse using “verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual” methods. A 2016 video of Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura in a hotel lobby was submitted as evidence.
Combs faced multiple charges, including sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Prosecutors alleged that from 2009 to 2018, he “knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, maintained, patronized, and solicited” people into engaging in sexual activities.
A third charge — transportation to engage in prostitution — alleged that Combs “knowingly transported individuals in interstate and foreign commerce with intent that the individuals engage in prostitution.”
A fourth charge, another count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, alleged that from 2021 to 2024, Combs solicited sexual acts “in reckless disregard” of the victims. A fifth charge — a second count of transportation to engage in prostitution — claimed that Combs continued the same conduct during that period.
Throughout the trial, Combs was portrayed as a violent figure who “called himself the king,” while his defense described him as a “complicated man,” asserting that the relationships were consensual.
“This case is about those real-life relationships, and the government is trying to turn those relationships into a racketeering case,” said Combs’ attorney, Teny Geragos, in her opening statement.
“The evidence is going to show you a very flawed individual, but it will not show you a racketeer, a sex trafficker, or somebody transporting for prostitution.”
Week one of the trial included testimony from Israel Florez, a former security guard at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, where Combs was seen assaulting Ventura. Daniel Phillip, a sex worker, testified that he was invited to have sex with Ventura while Combs watched and masturbated. He later claimed he heard Combs beating Ventura in another room, followed by her crying.
Ventura began her testimony on day two, appearing nine months pregnant. Tearfully, she recalled Combs’ “freak-offs”—drug-fueled sex parties involving male prostitutes—that made her feel “disgusting” and “humiliated.” The events lasted between 36 hours and four days.
“The freak-offs became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again,” Ventura said, detailing unwanted sexual acts that occurred during the parties.
She also testified that Combs took ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, and GHB in her presence, stating she entered drug rehab and trauma therapy in 2023 after contemplating suicide.
Ventura said Combs paid her $20 million in a prior settlement but testified, “I’d give that money back if I never had to have freak-offs.”
In week two, rapper Kid Cudi — who briefly dated Ventura — testified that Combs broke into his home and used a Molotov cocktail to blow up his Porsche. He said he later confronted Combs by phone, to which Combs replied, “I’m over here waiting for you.”
Dawn Richard, a member of Danity Kane — a group managed by Combs — recalled seeing him punch, kick, and slap Ventura. Kerry Morgan, a former friend of Ventura, testified that Combs attacked her in 2018 and described an incident in Jamaica where Combs pushed Ventura to the ground and dragged her by her hair.
David James, a former assistant, testified about Combs’ drug use and recalled fearing for his life when a heavily armed Combs asked him to accompany him to confront former hip-hop mogul Suge Knight.
Another assistant, George Kaplan, testified he left his job over moral concerns, saying, “I was not comfortable or aligned with the physical behavior that had been going on that I had seen pieces of,” while still expressing gratitude for the business lessons he learned.
Former sex worker Sharay Hayes, who was hired for the freak-offs, testified that the sex with Ventura “seemed like it was consented as far as I was concerned.”
Homeland Security agent Gerard Gannon testified about a 2024 raid on Combs’ Miami estate, where agents found AR-15 rifles, cocaine, ketamine, lingerie, and baby oil.
Week three brought more former employees to the stand. Capricorn Clark, a former brand director, said she was kidnapped by Combs in 2011 after he found out Ventura was dating Kid Cudi. He allegedly told her, “Get dressed, we’re going to go kill [Cudi],” and later beat Ventura.
Former stylist Deonte Nash testified that he frequently witnessed Combs beating Ventura, including once when he struck her head against a bed frame, causing her to bleed.
A woman testifying under the pseudonym “Mia” said she was sexually assaulted by Combs — once while asleep and again when forced to perform oral sex.
“I couldn’t tell him no about a sandwich — I couldn’t tell him no about anything,” she said.
Mia also recounted Combs beating Ventura after the two attended a party hosted by Prince, which he had forbidden.
In week four, Mia explained why she hadn’t disclosed the assaults sooner: “I was still deeply ashamed and wanted to die with this,” she said, adding that it took her time to understand what happened due to people normalizing Combs’ behavior.
“Nobody acted like what was happening to me was wrong.”
Eddy Garcia, a security guard at the Los Angeles hotel where Combs was caught on camera assaulting Ventura, testified that Combs called him directly, saying, “Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help.” Garcia handed over the footage on a USB drive and was paid $100,000 to split with two co-workers.
Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Ventura, testified that Combs held her over a 17th-floor balcony, causing her to fear for her life. She said he later threw her onto balcony furniture and showed jurors photos of the resulting bruises.
A woman known as “Jane,” who dated Combs from 2021 until his 2024 arrest, said she became financially dependent on him and experienced unwanted sex with prostitutes.
“It was a door that I was unable to shut for the remainder of the relationship,” she testified.
In week five, Jane recounted a physical altercation in June 2024 involving another woman. She said she hid barefoot in her neighborhood for over two hours before Combs gave her a black eye and welts on her forehead. She said he later dismissed her injuries, telling her to “just put some ice on it and put an outfit on,” and hired a man to have sex with her in front of him.
Jane said that when Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of rape and abuse, she saw disturbing similarities.
“I feel like I’m reading my own sexual trauma,” she wrote to Combs.
“It makes me sick how three solid pages, word for word, is exactly my experiences and my anguish.”
When questioned about instances in which she seemed to enjoy the freak-offs, Jane said she was pressured: “I resent him for knowing how much I loved him and knowing I couldn’t say no to him.”
Former assistant Jonathan Perez testified about organizing a freak-off at a hotel and being shown a company iPad video of Jane having sex with an escort as Combs watched in the background. Asked whether Jane appeared uncomfortable, Perez said no.
In week six, both prosecutors and the defense showed jurors videos of the freak-offs. The defense claimed the footage was “powerful evidence that the sexual conduct in this case was consensual and not based on coercion.”
Former assistant Brendan Paul testified that obtaining drugs and preparing hotel rooms for the freak-offs was part of his job. He said Combs instructed staff to “move like SEAL Team 6,” referring to the military unit that killed Osama bin Laden. When asked if Jane appeared uncomfortable, he also said no.
In week seven, Homeland Security agent Joseph Cerciello presented text messages, credit card statements, and other records showing Combs coordinating freak-offs during fall 2023 — a time when he was receiving numerous “legacy” and “trailblazer” awards.
In closing arguments, prosecutor Christy Slavik emphasized that not all freak-offs were being presented as sex trafficking.
“If there is one time — one single freak-off — that jurors find was the product of force, threats of force, fraud or coercion, Mr. Combs should be found guilty of sex trafficking,” she said.
She added that Combs’ employees carried out crimes including drug distribution, sex trafficking, arson, bribery, kidnapping, and interstate transportation for prostitution and forced labor.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo portrayed Combs as a “deeply flawed” man, arguing that the sex trafficking allegations were “badly exaggerated.”
“He sits there innocent,” Agnifilo said.
“Return him to his family who have been waiting for him.”
Combs was ultimately found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.
Reactions
After the verdict, Cassie Ventura’s attorney released a statement praising her for “paving the way.”
“By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice,” wrote her attorney, Douglas Wigdor, in a statement obtained by ABC News.
“We believe and support our client, who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion.”
“This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors,” the statement concluded.
In a press release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York — which prosecuted the case — emphasized the trauma abuse victims face.
“Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society,” the office said.
“Victims endure gut-wrenching physical and mental abuse, leading to lasting trauma. New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice.”
“Prosecuting sex crimes requires brave victims to come forward and tell their harrowing stories. We and our law enforcement partners recognize the hardships victims endure and have prioritized a victim-centered approach to investigating and prosecuting these cases,” the statement concluded.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Combs’ attorney said the mogul received a “standing ovation” from inmates after the verdict.
“They all said: ‘We never get to see anyone who beats the government,’” said Marc Agnifilo.
“I said: ‘Maybe it’s your fate in life to be the guy who wins.’
“They need to see that someone can win. I think he took that to heart,” Agnifilo added.
After being denied bail, Combs will remain in jail, with sentencing scheduled for Oct. 3. He faces up to 20 years in prison. However, Agnifilo told CBS News that the defense is “not nearly done fighting.”
“Today was a major, major step in the right direction,” he said.
“But we fight on, and we’re gonna win. And we’re not gonna stop until he walks out of prison a free man to his family.”