Sean 'Diddy' Combs ACQUITTED Of Sex Trafficking Charges, Guilty Of Prostitution Offence
In a big development in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sexual assault case, the rapper has been convicted of a prostitution-related offence. On Wednesday, the court announced the same but also acquitted Diddy of the sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him in prison for life.
According to PTI, Combs was convicted of violating the federal Mann Act by flying individuals, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, across the country for sexual encounters.
However, the jury acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, which were based on claims that he used his wealth, influence, and intimidating physical presence to coerce his girlfriends into numerous drug-fueled sex marathons with the men.
For the unversed, Combs was arrested in September last year on charges that he coerced and abused women for years with the aid of a network of associates and employees. An indictment accuses him of silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
After the trial began earlier this year, several, including the rapper's former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura testified in the court and recalled disturbing incidents, including claims of the rapper raping her and abusing and assaulting his employees.
'I didn't get hit. I remember a vase hitting the wall. He was yelling at me and threw it at me. He told me that I wasn't going to leave him there. That I couldn't," she said, as per The Guardian. During the hearing, a couple of text messages were also shown to the jury, with Cassie writing to Diddy, 'I have a black eye and a fat lip. You are sick for thinking it's okay to do what you've done."
However, Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is now seeking to be freed to house arrest through a $50 million bail package.
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