Combs’ Bail Request Denied Despite Trafficking Acquittal (2)

Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted Wednesday on the top charges of racketeering and sex trafficking and convicted only of the lesser charges of transporting prostitutes, but the judge denied his application to leave federal custody ahead of sentencing.

The verdict means Combs escaped the possibility of a life sentence, though he still faces a maximum of 20 years on the two prostitution charges. On Wednesday afternoon, Judge Arun Subramanian rejected Combs’ efforts to post $1 million bond to leave federal custody. He has been detained since September.

The judge proposed a sentencing date for October but said he was willing to expedite it.

The defense “conceded defendant’s violence,” Subramanian said in rejecting the application, saying Combs hadn’t shown he didn’t pose a danger to the community.

Earlier in the day, the 12-person jury in Manhattan federal court returned the mixed verdict after three days of deliberations. Combs pumped his fist when the verdict was read.

The verdict followed a seven-week trial during which prosecutors said Combs ran a criminal enterprise and forced women into dayslong, drug-fueled sex parties with escorts that he called “freak-offs.” The defense argued the government exaggerated Combs’ behavior and criminalized consensual, if complicated, relationships.

The convictions for transporting prostitutes across state lines stem from allegations that Combs paid sex workers to come to his “freak-off” parties. Each count carries a 10-year maximum.

The acquittal for racketeering, which carried a maximum of life, stemmed from allegations that Combs conspired with bodyguards and business partners to commit a number of crimes, including kidnapping, arson, bribery, and drug distribution. The charge has historically been used to take down mob bosses like John Gotti.

The government’s racketeering case included an allegation that Combs conspired with others to blow up rival rapper Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi’s car in a jealous rage over Mescudi’s relationship with Combs’ ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura. Another part of the case centered on an allegation that Combs conspired to bribe a hotel security guard to bury a surveillance video showing him hitting Ventura.

The two sex trafficking acquittals stem from allegations that Combs coerced two women, Ventura and a pseudonymous Jane Doe, into the freak-offs. Ventura testified that she agreed to partake in the parties because she feared Combs’ violent outbursts and his control over her finances and career, but jurors weren’t persuaded by her testimony to convict Combs.

Combs’ attorney asked the judge to set bail because Combs is cleared of the more serious charges, which the government opposed.

“Mr. Combs has been given his life by this jury,” said Combs attorney Marc Agnifilo.

After court adjourned for the morning, Combs supporters in the courtroom broke out into loud applause and stood up as Agnifilo turned around to greet them. The attorney wrapped the rest of the defense team in hugs.

The case is United States v. Combs, S.D.N.Y., No. 1:24-cr-00542, verdict 7/2/25.