What Was Diddy Convicted Of? Full Breakdown of Sean Combs’ Guilty Verdict

Sean “Diddy” Combs, the 55-year-old music mogul, has been convicted on two federal counts of transportation for prostitution. The verdict came after an eight-week trial that ended in July 2025. On Friday, a judge sentenced Combs to 50 months in prison following these convictions.

The case was one of the most high-profile celebrity trials of the year, involving serious allegations of sexual exploitation and coercion. Prosecutors accused Combs of orchestrating lavish, coercive sex encounters over many years. The verdict has drawn widespread attention, given his powerful position in the music industry and long-standing public image.

Diddy Convicted on Transportation for Prostitution Charges

The main charges stemmed from the Mann Act, a U.S. law originally enacted in 1910 to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Combs was found guilty of transporting two women — singer Cassie Ventura and another accuser referred to as “Jane” — across state lines for illegal sexual activity and prostitution.

Prosecutors said Combs set up what witnesses described as “freak-offs,” where women were pressured into sexual encounters with male escorts while the artist watched, filmed, or directed. The jury agreed that Combs knowingly moved the women between states to facilitate these acts, which made the activity a federal crime.

Combs was acquitted of three other major charges, including racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. The racketeering charge was the most serious and could have resulted in a life sentence, but jurors found prosecutors had not proven that Combs ran an organized criminal enterprise with his employees’ knowledge and participation.

Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura were in an on-and-off relationship for more than a decade

What the Sentence Means and Industry Reaction

Each transportation charge carries up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors had sought at least 11 years, but Judge Arun Subramanian ultimately sentenced Combs to just over four years (50 months). The judge said the punishment was necessary to deter future abuse and send a clear message that power cannot shield wrongdoing.

Combs, who has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest, asked the court for leniency, citing his seven children and elderly mother. He admitted to personal failings in a letter to the judge but denied running a criminal sex-trafficking network.

The conviction has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Combs built his empire with Bad Boy Records, launched the careers of major stars like The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, and became a business icon through ventures like Cîroc vodka. Now, his legacy faces severe damage as lawsuits and public backlash grow.

With this verdict, Sean “Diddy” Combs now officially carries two felony convictions for transportation for prostitution. The sentence marks a dramatic fall for one of music’s most influential figures.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was Diddy convicted of?

He was convicted on two federal counts of transportation for prostitution under the Mann Act.

Q2: How long will Diddy be in prison?

He was sentenced to 50 months, or just over four years, though time served may shorten this.

Q3: Was Diddy found guilty of sex trafficking?

No. He was acquitted of the two sex-trafficking charges and a racketeering conspiracy charge.

Q4: Why is the Mann Act important in this case?

The Mann Act makes it illegal to transport someone across state lines for prostitution or illegal sex acts. This law was the basis of Combs’ convictions.

Q5: Does Diddy face more legal trouble?

Yes. Over 100 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and abuse remain pending against him.