A Manhattan jury has found Sean “Diddy” Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, the most serious of the charges he was facing, and the one that could have put him behind bars for life. This charge, which falls under the RICO Act, “alleged that Combs participated in a criminal enterprise. Prosecutors claimed he used his business empire to facilitate illegal activities,” according to NBC News.
He was also acquitted on two counts of sex trafficking, by force, fraud, or coercion. This charge relates to “allegations that Combs coerced individuals into engaging in commercial sexual activity,” as per NBC. If he had been convicted, he would have faced 10 years to life in prison for each count.
Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. “This charge alleges that Combs knowingly transported individuals across state lines or internationally with the intent that they would engage in prostitution.”
Considering what Combs was up against when his trial began on May 5, some are calling today’s verdicts a victory of sorts.
The mixed result in the sex trafficking case against rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur “Diddy,” in United States v. Combs, came on the third day of deliberations. The jury notified Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday afternoon, that while they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the first count of racketeering conspiracy, they had reached decisions on counts two through five. The jurors informed the judge that there were “unpersuadable jurors on both sides.”
Following discussions with prosecutors and defense attorneys, the judge ordered the jury to reconvene on Wednesday morning and try to reach a decision on the racketeering charge. And shortly after 10 a.m., the jury announced they had arrived at a verdict on the final charge.
Initial reactions on social media suggest widespread disappointment with the verdicts.
This story will be updated as more details come in.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
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