<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jurors have found\u00a0Sean “Diddy” Combs<\/a>\u2019 guilty on prostitution charges, but acquitted the mogul of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges.<\/p>\n Combs could still face 10 years behind bars for his two convictions on transportation to engage in prostitution charges, related to his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and a woman who testified under the name “Jane.”<\/p>\n Jurors had told the judge on Monday that they could only reach a verdict on 4 of the 5 charges, but not the most serious racketeering charge. They were dismissed for the day and returned this morning, where they quickly appeared to reach a verdict.<\/p>\n Federal prosecutors allege that Combs forced or coerced multiple women \u2014 including ex-girlfriend \u00a0Casandra “Cassie” Ventura<\/a>\u00a0and another who testified under the pseudonym “Jane<\/a>” \u2014 to take part in choreographed sex acts involving male escorts, referred to in court as \u201cfreak offs\u201d or \u201chotel nights.\u201d<\/p>\n The case, brought in September 2024 by the Southern District of New York, claims Combs leveraged his vast business network to carry out a range of criminal activity as part of an organized racketeering scheme.<\/p>\n The trial began in May, with the prosecution presenting 34 witnesses over 29 days of testimony.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The feds are locking down the street around the federal courthouse, barring anyone from entering or leaving.<\/p>\n Throngs of reporters are still outside along with Combs’ supporters, one of whom could be seen covering himself in baby oil.<\/p>\n The parties are expected back in the courtroom at 1 p.m. to discuss whether Combs should be released on bond or remain in detention pending his sentencing. Combs’ legal team will also address the media this afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The feds are preparing for the possibility that Combs, who has been locked up since September, could be released from custody today.<\/p>\n Workers could be seen setting up and rearranging barricades nearby the courthouse, likely in expectation of a huge crowd should Combs be allowed to walk out a free man.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a statement, the prosecution credited the “brave victims” for coming forward and telling their stories.<\/p>\n “Prosecuting sex\u00a0crimes\u00a0requires brave victims to come forward and tell their harrowing stories,” read a statement by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Ricky J. Patel.\u00a0“We and our law enforcement partners recognize the hardships victims endure and have prioritized a victim-centered approach to investigating and prosecuting these cases.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Combs could theoretically face up to 20 years behind bars for the offenses he was convicted of \u2014 but a legal expert predicts he’ll get little more than a slap on the wrist.<\/p>\n Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and legal commentator,\u00a0tells PEOPLE\u00a0<\/a>that with a two-count conviction on transportation to engage in prostitution charges, he is “likely going to get little to no time.”<\/p>\n “He may even get time served,” says Rahmani. “The government would not have brought this case had they thought they could only get prostitution.\u201d<\/p>\n Rahmani describes the verdict as “a huge overwhelming win by the defense and a tremendous loss for the prosecution,” adding it was “the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 50 Cent, whose\u00a0longtime beef with Diddy<\/a>\u00a0has given way to him becoming one of the mogul’s most prolific online trolls during the trial, has reacted to the verdict.<\/p>\n