Diddy Trial: Rapper Guilty Of Prostitution; Acquitted On Trafficking Charges

American musician Diddy, whose legal name is Sean John Combs, was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution by a New York district court on July 2. A jury of 12 observed that there was enough evidence to show he had committed violent acts and remained a threat. The rapper was seen falling to his knees and praying after he was denied bail by US District Judge Arun Subramanian, according to CBS. 

Diddy was, however, acquitted on three more serious charges, including two counts of sex trafficking and a racketeering conspiracy—charges that could have sent him to prison for life. “I’m gonna be home soon,” the defendant said during the hearing, followed by cheers from family and supporters. “Thank you, I love you.”

Diddy now faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the two prostitution-related counts. However, federal sentencing guidelines suggest a total sentence of no more than five and a quarter years. The rapper’s legal team argued that two years should be the maximum. The New York court has set the tentative sentencing date as October 3, 2025.

Diddy Trial

Diddy was arrested in September 2024 after he was accused of sexually assaulting several people, including his ex-girlfriend, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura. and another woman with the pseudonym 'Jane.' Both women testified that he physically abused and coerced them into performing sex acts with male sex workers while he watched, filmed, and at times, masturbated. 

The case has traced over a decade-long pattern of coercion, manipulation, and violence. The legal battle has uncovered a web of conspiracies in Hollywood, including the involvement of numerous A-listers and potential accomplices. Here are some of the major developments in the case.

Cassie's reaction to verdict

Cassie, a singer and dancer, has released a statement following the recent verdict. Her lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor, said that the entire criminal process began when Cassie showed the “courage to file her civil complaint” in 2023. “She paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice," he said.

Case starts with Cassie Ventura's allegations

The case starts in November 2023, when Cassie, a fellow musician and Diddy's ex-girlfriend, accused him of rape. Cassandra Ventura (legal name) filed a lawsuit on November 18 alleging that in 2018, towards the end of their relationship, Diddy forcefully entered her home and raped her. 

Ventura added that he also physically abused her and asserted “complete control” over her. Her lawsuit added that Diddy began a pattern of plying her with drugs, sexually assaulting her and forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while he recorded video footage. She was about 19 years old then.

Ventura's $30 million lawsuit was settled within a day after it was filed. The survivor told CNN that she chose to "resolve the matter amicably," while Diddy’s defendant said that the settlement was “in no way an admission of wrongdoing” and didn’t change his denial of the allegations.

In May 2024, a video resurfaced showing Diddy attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016. The survivor reacted to the matter on her social media, stating that the domestic violence “broke” her and she will “always be recovering” from her past. Diddy apologised after the video went viral.

More Rape Allegations 

Days after Cassie's case, on November 23, 2024, a woman identified as Joie Dickerson-Neal filed a lawsuit alleging Diddy drugged her, sexually assaulted her, and secretly recorded the assault while she was a college student in 1991. On the same day, an anonymous plaintiff accused Diddy and fellow musician Aaron Hall of raping her friend in 1990 or 1991 in New York. 

On May 22, 2024, former model Crystal McKinney sued Diddy for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting her at his New York studio in 2003. Two days later, a woman identified as April Lampros sued Diddy for sexual assault over four “terrifying sexual encounters” between 1995 and 2001, including three incidents of rape and one instance of the rapper forcing her to take ecstasy.

In September 2024, after Diddy's arrest, a model called Thalia Graves came forward alleging that in 2001, when she was 25 years old, the rapper and his ex-bodyguard Joseph Sherman offered her a drink that made her "lightheaded, dizzy and physically weak" before she lost consciousness and was raped by them her while her hands were tied behind her back.

On September 27, the Associated Press reported that Diddy was accused of drugging and raping a woman, identified as 'Jane Doe' in the lawsuit, on multiple occasions. The suit further alleges the survivor became pregnant after one of the encounters; she is seeking undisclosed damages.

Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee is representing 120 accusers who plan to file civil lawsuits against Diddy across multiple states, alleging crimes like sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse of minors in claims that will include "many powerful people" and "many dirty secrets."

More Rape Allegations 

Days after Cassie's case, on November 23, 2024, a woman identified as Joie Dickerson-Neal filed a lawsuit alleging Diddy drugged her, sexually assaulted her, and secretly recorded the assault while she was a college student in 1991. On the same day, an anonymous plaintiff accused Diddy and fellow musician Aaron Hall of raping her friend in 1990 or 1991 in New York. 

On May 22, 2024, former model Crystal McKinney sued Diddy for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting her at his New York studio in 2003. Two days later, a woman identified as April Lampros sued Diddy for sexual assault over four “terrifying sexual encounters” between 1995 and 2001, including three incidents of rape and one instance of the rapper forcing her to take ecstasy.

In September 2024, after Diddy'sarrest, a model called Thalia Graves came forward alleging that in 2001, when she was 25 years old, the rapper and his ex-bodyguard Joseph Sherman offered her a drink that made her "lightheaded, dizzy and physically weak" before she lost consciousness and was raped by them her while her hands were tied behind her back.

On September 27, the Associated Press reported that Diddy was accused of drugging and raping a woman, identified as 'Jane Doe' in the lawsuit, on multiple occasions. The suit further alleges the survivor became pregnant after one of the encounters; she is seeking undisclosed damages.

In another lawsuit, Diddy was accused of drugging a fitness trainer and passing him “around like a party favour” to celebrities. The trainer accused Diddy of repeatedly drugging and sexually assaulting him in 2022. He also accused the rapper of using him as a party favour to A-listers at his parties.

In December 2023, an anonymous woman filed a case against Diddy, stating that he drugged and raped her when she was 17 years old. The alleged incident happened in 2003. On December 6, the accuser revealed her identity as Anna Kane, the ex-wife of National Hockey League star Evander Kane, according to TMZ.

Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee is representing 120 accusers who plan to file civil lawsuits against Diddy across multiple states, alleging crimes like sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse of minors in claims that will include "many powerful people" and "many dirty secrets."

Lil Rod Uncovers Diddy's  "Freak Off Parties"

Music producer Rodney Jones, better known as Lil Rod, sued Diddy in February 2024, alleging he was “subjected to unwanted advances by associates of Diddy at his direction”. Jones said that Diddy hosted "freak off parties" with underage people and illegal drugs. He also implied that Diddy's record label executives looked the other way as they financially benefited from access to celebrities. 

Jones alleged that these sex-trafficking parties expected A-listers, including the likes of British royal Prince Harry, who is not accused of any wrongdoing or of attending parties himself. Meanwhile, Diddy’s attorney told the Los Angeles Times that Jones' lawsuit includes “reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction”. Photos of parties hosted by Diddy have been doing the rounds since these allegations.

🚨DIDDY WANTED TO PARTY WITH PRINCES WILLIAM & HARRY IN THEIR YOUTH

Diddy revealed in a resurfaced 2011 interview that he once hoped to party with Prince William and Prince Harry during their wild younger days.

He mentioned wanting to invite them to his parties when they were… pic.twitter.com/hpvdaUlUpr

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 24, 2024

Some conspiracy theories have emerged about renowned celebrities like Jay Z and Beyoncé being allegedly involved in Diddy's "freak off" parties and criminal activities. Many have also alleged that singer-songwriter Justin Bieber, who considered Diddy a mentor early in his career, was groomed or sexually assaulted by the indicted rapper. 

Diddy Accused Of Violence, Damage To Property, Kidnapping

Days after his arrest, a 16-page memo filed with New York judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky accused Diddy and co-conspirators of setting fire to an unnamed person's car using a Molotov cocktail in December 2011. This accusation matches one made by Cassie Ventura, who alleged in a lawsuit that in 2023, Diddy blew up a car owned by rapper Kid Cudi.

The memo also adds that Diddy and a coconspirator kidnapped an individual at gunpoint to facilitate breaking into and entering the residence of another individual. "Multiple witnesses would testify at trial to the events
surrounding the kidnapping and break-in, the latter of which is corroborated by police reports and other records," the document adds.

The memo also reveals that Diddy possesses a large number of 'illegal firearms', including three AR-15s, each with defaced serial numbers, as well as a large capacity drum magazine found during searches of his residences in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California. In addition, six legally purchased guns with serial numbers, some of which were stored in gun safes, were recovered.