The verdict is in for music mogul and fashion icon Sean Combs. After 13 hours of deliberation and 8 weeks on trial, he was found guilty of two of five charges. Here’s the breakdown:
COUNT 1: Racketeering Conspiracy – NOT GUILTY / What is racketeering? An act that involves planning, organizing, or agreeing to commit a pattern of racketeering activity, even if the acts themselves are never carried out. Racketeering” refers to a wide range of illegal activities, including: Murder, Drug trafficking, Money laundering, Bribery, Extortion, Sex trafficking, Fraud, and Kidnapping.
Conspiracy means that two or more people agreed to commit racketeering crimes and at least one of them demonstrated intent to commit a crime. Even if the crime wasn’t completed, the agreement alone can be enough to convict someone.
In the case of Sean Combs, prosecutors used racketeering conspiracy to argue that he led or coordinated a system of abuse and trafficking, with others allegedly helping him execute or cover it up.
COUNT 2: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud or Coercion – NOT GUILTY / This act involves causing someone to engage in commercial sex acts through violence, deception, or manipulation, rather than their free and informed choice.
In high-profile cases (like Sean Combs or R. Kelly), prosecutors try to show that the defendant created an environment with helpers, handlers, and resources to exploit women under their influence or control.
COUNT 3: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution – GUILTY / A federal crime that makes it illegal to transport any person across state lines (or international borders) for prostitution or other illegal sexual activity.
COUNT 4: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud or Coercion – NOT GUILTY
COUNT 5: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution – GUILTY
Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors argued that he arranged travel for two women (including Cassie Ventura) to engage in sex acts as part of his coercive lifestyle. Even though he was acquitted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, these transportation charges stuck, showing that even partial involvement in moving someone across state lines for prostitution can lead to a federal conviction.
After the verdict was read, Combs was denied bond. His sentencing hearing is set for October 3rd at 10:00 a.m. ET. The charges he was convicted of carry a maximum sentence of 10 years each.