Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.
(NewsNation) — Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, the most serious charge levied against him, but he could still face a lengthy prison stay.
A jury acquitted Combs of the RICO charge and two counts of sex trafficking Wednesday and found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The maximum sentence for each of the prostitution convictions is 10 years, according to the U.S. Code, meaning Combs could be behind bars for up to 20 years.
If he had been convicted of any of the other counts, Combs would have faced life in prison.
After the verdict was read Wednesday, Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, asked that his client be immediately released because the federal Mann Act crimes were of a “vastly different nature” than sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Combs has been behind bars since his September arrest.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey argued Combs should remain behind bars before sentencing, insisting he is a danger to the community who could flee. She cited evidence of physical abuse and “prolific use and distribution of drugs” that emerged during the trial.
“I do believe we’ll be seeking a substantial period of incarceration,” Comey said.
Hours after the mixed verdict was delivered, the judge sided with the prosecution and denied bail, meaning Combs won’t be released from jail as he awaits sentencing. A tentative date for sentencing has been set for October 3 but the judge said he’d move up the date at the defense’s request.
When it comes to Combs’ sentence, former federal prosecutor David Weinstein told NewsNation that sentencing guidelines allow for multiplying factors, potentially upping his sentence.
Weinstein said the sentencing guidelines will create a range for how long the sentence runs. The defense’s range is 21 to 27 months, while the prosecution has come up with a range of 51 to 63 months.
“He’s looking at 15-plus years under the sentencing guideline on each count, and he gets a multiplier for multiple victims,” Weinstein said.
“The judge can run them consecutive, and he might, with an additional multiplying factor, find himself bumping up against 10 on each count,” Weinstein added. “So, for people to say or think that he’s going to get credit time served and walk out of here, I think that’s a pipe dream for the defense.”
Following the verdict Wednesday, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s lawyer said he was “pleased” that Combs still faces “substantial jail time.”
Ventura, one of Combs’ former partners, testified over four days about the years of abuse she said Combs inflicted on her, including participation in so-called “Freak Offs,” choreographed sexual events that took center stage during the trial.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Author: Anna Kutz
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