NEW YORK - A US judge denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to be released from jail on July 2

ahead of his sentencing,

after the music mogul was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offences.

At a hearing in Manhattan federal court hours after the verdict was read, US District Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs must remain in federal lockup in Brooklyn for now given the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts Combs had committed.

“It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger,” Mr Subramanian said.

The verdict was overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture.

The 12-member jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

It acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking two of his former romantic partners: the rhythm and blues singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane.

Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of 5¼ years. Combs’ lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit.

After the verdict, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery.

“I’m gonna be home soon,” he said, smiling and clasping his hands. “I love you. Thank you, I love you.”

Combs’ family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers.

Combs, once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. He faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts.

Combs’ lawyers had urged Mr Subramanian to release Combs on US$1 million (S$1.27 million) bond, arguing in a court filing the prostitution offences were “far less serious” than the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he faced at the time he was ordered detained pending trial.

Prosecutors argued Combs should remain in jail because he remained a danger to the community, pointing to Jane’s testimony at trial that he assaulted her and coerced her into sex with a male prostitute in June 2024 while he was aware he was under federal investigation.

The seven-week trial focused on prosecutors’ allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and Jane to take part in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as “Freak Offs” with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed.

Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs’ conduct towards both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them.

“The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on June 26.

Acquittal on three charges

The jury’s acquittal on the most serious charges signaled that the prosecution failed to draw a direct line between Combs’ abuse of Ventura and Jane and their participation in the sexual performances.

The defence acknowledged that Combs engaged in domestic violence, but argued that Ventura and Jane were strong, independent women who consensually took part in the sexual performances because they wanted to please Combs.

Ms Sarah Krissoff, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said the jury may have viewed Combs’ conduct as evidence of toxic romantic relationships, but not sex trafficking.

“It doesn’t fit what they would expect to be sex trafficking,” said Ms Krissoff, now a partner at law firm Cozen O’Connor.

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The Bad Boy Records founder could have faced life in prison if he were convicted on sex trafficking or racketeering conspiracy.

After the verdict, Combs’ family left the courthouse to chants of “love, love, love,” from Combs’ supporters. During his career, Combs’ stage monikers included Love, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy.

In a statement after the verdict, Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel said sex crimes were “all too present” across society and that Americans wanted it to stop.

Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Ventura sued him in November 2023 for sex trafficking, and they settled a day later for US$20 million.

Combs, once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, has denied all wrongdoing. After the verdict, Ventura’s lawyer Douglas Wigdor said in a statement that she had “paved the way” for Combs’ conviction. REUTERS