Sean Diddy Combs Faces Partial Verdict in Federal Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial

A partial verdict has been delivered in the high-profile federal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York City, where he stands accused of racketeering and sex trafficking. The jury informed the court Tuesday that it had reached unanimous decisions on four of the five criminal charges but remained deadlocked on the first count — racketeering conspiracy. Jurors revealed that some members hold firm, opposing views on this charge, preventing a consensus.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian is now evaluating how to proceed. Both federal prosecutors and Combs’ legal team requested that the jury resume deliberations in hopes of reaching a verdict on the unresolved count. The deliberations began Monday at the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan, following a trial that has captivated national attention.

The case stems from a sweeping indictment unsealed in September 2024, which originally charged the 55-year-old hip-hop mogul with three criminal offenses. That number increased to five following a superseding indictment in April, just before the trial commenced. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.

Federal prosecutors allege that Combs used his vast entertainment empire to operate a covert criminal organization designed to conceal abuse, manipulate women, and enforce silence. Over the course of the seven-week trial, more than 30 witnesses testified for the prosecution, offering an expansive narrative of alleged coercion, violence, and abuse.

Combs declined to take the stand, and his attorneys chose not to present any witnesses. In a statement to the judge, Combs affirmed it was his personal decision, made in consultation with his lawyers. The defense argued that prosecutors failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt and requested the judge dismiss the charges after the prosecution rested.

The trial, which began in May, quickly drew attention for its emotionally charged and graphic testimony. Among the key witnesses was Cassie Ventura, a singer and Combs’ ex-girlfriend, who detailed what she described as years of abuse and control. Ventura claimed Combs orchestrated drug-fueled sex parties he called "freak-offs", during which he controlled every detail — from who was involved to what she wore and how she behaved. She testified that she participated in these encounters unwillingly to appease him.

In rebuttal, Combs’ lawyers asserted the interactions were consensual. They presented a 2009 message from Ventura saying, “I’m always ready to freak off,” suggesting mutual involvement. However, Ventura stood firm, describing a pattern of manipulation and coercion.

Attention intensified after video footage from 2016 surfaced last year, appearing to show Combs assaulting Ventura in a California hotel. He later apologized, calling his actions "inexcusable" and accepting "full responsibility." Ventura testified the incident occurred after she tried to escape a violent “freak-off.” A hotel security guard later claimed Combs offered him money, which the guard interpreted as an attempt at bribery.

In 2023, Ventura filed a civil lawsuit accusing Combs of years of sexual and physical abuse. Though Combs denied the allegations, he settled the lawsuit privately. During closing arguments, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo remarked, “If you had to pick a winner in this whole thing, it’s hard not to pick Cassie.”

Another significant voice in the trial was Dawn Richard, a singer affiliated with Combs’ music groups. She testified about witnessing repeated abuse toward Ventura, including one 2009 incident where Combs allegedly threatened to make Richard and a bandmate "disappear" if they spoke out. Although the defense highlighted inconsistencies in Richard’s statements, she responded that trauma can cloud memory and it took time for her to fully process the events.

A second former partner, identified only as Jane, testified about her relationship with Combs from 2021 to 2024. She described frequent “hotel nights,” involving drug use and encounters with male escorts while Combs watched. Though Jane said she expressed discomfort, the defense revealed messages she sent arranging such nights. Jane explained that she felt pressured and had grown financially dependent on Combs, contributing to her compliance.

She also recounted a violent altercation last year after an argument over another woman. Jane claimed she slammed Combs' head on a marble table, prompting him to retaliate by grabbing her neck, punching, and kicking her. This account added further weight to the prosecution's narrative of a man who, behind closed doors, wielded power and intimidation to maintain control.

As the jury returns to deliberate on the final charge, the future of Sean "Diddy" Combs, once a towering figure in entertainment, remains uncertain. The trial has exposed a side of celebrity culture rarely seen in such detail — one where alleged exploitation, violence, and secrecy coexisted with fame and fortune.