The pimp rapper 'Diddy' faces up to 20 years in prison for prostitution.

In a verdict that marked a dramatic turn in one of the year's most high-profile trials, rapper and entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs was acquitted on Wednesday of the most serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, but was found guilty of two federal offenses related to prostitution, for which he could face up to 20 years in prison.

The jury's decision, composed of eight men and four women, came after three days of deliberations and more than seven weeks of trial in a federal court in Manhattan.

Combs, 55 years old, reacted with visible and poignant emotion upon hearing that he would not be convicted on charges carrying a life sentence, kneeling on the floor in a gesture of prayer as the judge left the courtroom.

The prosecution accused Combs of leading for two decades a network that included sexual abuse, violence, psychological manipulation, purchase and transportation of drugs, bribery, and a series of degrading sexual practices known as "freak-offs," or as they are popularly called, "Diddy Parties."

At its core, the accusations came from former partners and former employees who accused him of forcing them to participate in group sexual encounters with male escorts, under emotional, physical, or financial pressure.

The most influential witness was Cassie Ventura, the producer's ex-girlfriend, who testified while eight months pregnant. She recounted episodes of physical and emotional abuse, blackmail, and sexual coercion.

Another woman, identified as "Jane," stated that she needed to use drugs to endure the encounters organized by Combs and described how the artist beat her brutally before forcing her to participate in another "freak-off."

The jury did not "find" sufficient evidence to convict Combs of sex trafficking or of running a criminal organization, but did find him guilty of two violations of the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting people across state lines for illegal sexual purposes. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

The defense argued that the relationships were consensual and that Combs's behavior, although problematic, did not constitute a federal crime, stating that this was an attempt to criminalize his lifestyle as a "swinger."

After the verdict, prosecutor Maurene Comey asked the judge to keep Combs in custody, arguing that he still poses a danger. Meanwhile, the defense attorney requested his conditional release on bail and transfer to his residence in Florida. Judge Arun Subramanian announced that he will decide on his situation in an additional hearing.

Sean Combs has remained in custody since his arrest in September 2024 and his final sentence will be announced in the coming months. Meanwhile, he continues to face more than 50 civil lawsuits, including some for sexual abuse of minors.