U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian denied Sean “Diddy” Combs request for bail as he awaits sentencing in his federal sex trafficking trial. On Wednesday, jurors unanimously convicted Combs on counts 3 and 5 in the case, but found him not guilty on the most serious counts – 1, 2, and 4 – after three days of deliberations.
Judge Subramanian set a sentencing date for Oct. 3; however in response to Combs’ attorneys request for an expedited sentencing, Subramanian agreed to set up a remote conference for July 8 at 2 p.m. to hear arguments about the pre-sentencing process, and to discuss a proposal to move up the sentencing date.
Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges following his high-profile federal trial in New York City, but was convicted on two lesser charges of transportation of former girlfriends for prostitution un the split verdict, and could face up to 20 years in prison if he is sentenced to consecutive maximum prison terms.
Judge Subramanian had stated that he wanted to read letters from both sides before making his decision regarding bail. Combs’ attorney Mark Agnifilo requested that Combs “should be released on appropriate conditions” immediately, while the prosecution countered the request, stating that it posed a “real risk” to let him walk free, and further argued that Combs should be detained as his charges under the Mann Act require detention. They stated that “the only conceivable basis for release here is the existence of ‘exceptional circumstances.’” Prosecutors wrote that “even if detention was not mandatory here, which it is, the defendant cannot meet his burden to show by clear and convincing evidence that he is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community.”
Combs’ legal team had proposed a bail package including a $1 million bond; travel restrictions to certain areas of Florida, California and New York or New Jersey; surrendering his passport; and drug testing. His attorneys argued that prosecutors were overstating his sentencing exposure and noted that he was not convicted of a violent crime, stating that detention is not necessary due to his “exceptional circumstances,” including looking after his children as well as his mother, Janice Combs, who is 85 years old.
Combs’ attorneys argued throughout the trial that the sexual encounters had been consensual and introduced several exhibits, including text messages, into evidence intended to reinforce that argument. Over the course of the trial, prosecutors called 34 witnesses over the course of 29 days of testimony. Among them was Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, with whom he was in a relationship for 11 years. Prosecutors sought to prove that she had been coerced into participating in elaborate sex performances with male sex workers, with Ventura giving several days of testimony describing abuse.
After Combs was found not guilty of sex trafficking, Ventura’s attorney Douglas H. Wigdor released a statement: “This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023. Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, 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. We must repeat — with no reservation — that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion … this case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”
While Combs was acquitted on the most serious charges, he is still facing several dozen lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct and abuse.
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